New Zealand Summer Program

Conservation volunteering, cultural immersion and adventure travel through the North and South Islands of New Zealand

New Zealand is the perfect escape.  Its temperate climate, unique blend of vibrant culture and breathtaking environment are exhilarating. 

On this program, we do two weeks of hands-on volunteer conservation work in some of the New Zealand’s most interesting national parks and wildlife reserves, and two weeks of interpretive, educational and adventure travel as we road-trip through the North and South Islands, experiencing culture, welcoming hospitality and unique adventures amidst spectacular landscapes and wide open spaces.

This travel-study abroad summer or gap year program is suitable for students, graduates and non-students, ideally 18-25 years.

New Zealand has enjoyed 100 million years of isolation since it separated from the southern super continent Gondwana, sinking into and rising again from the ocean. This sinking, rising and isolation from other landmasses (Australia is 1300 miles away), protected unusual eco-systems where birds filled all the major niches usually taken by mammals. These eco-systems were radically compromised by colonization and the introduction of new animal species - first from the indigenous Maori some 800 years ago and more recently by European settlers. On this program you will get a hands-on introduction to strategies initiated to protect and care for these eco-systems and the plants and wildlife they contain.

New Zealand Volunteer Conservation Summer Program Highlights

• Two weeks of rewarding volunteer conservation projects in National Parks and wildlife reserves, partnering with New Zealand’s Department of Conservation:
  Week One: Based from Urupukapuka Island in the Bay of Islands Historic and Maritime Park
  Week Two: Various work sites in the Nelson region which is home to 3 National Parks, 1 Forest Park, 1 Maritime Park and numerous reserve areas
• Full-day adventure caving trip in Waitomo’s limestone caves
• Enjoying culture and nightlife in the friendly cities of Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown
• Full-day of rock climbing and mountain biking at Castle Rock Lodge
• Exciting white water rafting trip on the Kaituna River
• Soaking in natural hot springs
• Wellington daytrip – New Zealand’s vibrant capital – Parliament tour, NZ’s National Museum, beaches and cafes
• Mountain biking in Nelson
• Traveling down the West Coast of the South Island – voted as one of the top-ten road trips in the world – stopping overnight at Punakaiki and Franz Josef Glacier with the choice of a glacier hike or an eco-canoe trip on Okaritio lagoon
• Queenstown – the worlds adventure capital and the birthplace of Bungy
• Series of informal lectures from local conservation experts
• Very personalized small group experience (compare with other programs of up to 40 students)
• Fantastic New Zealand program leader/s

"Traveling with Pacific Discovery has been one of the most personally rewarding things I have ever done. The program's small group sizes and focus on responsible travel allows you to interact with a country's local culture, customs, and environment on a much deeper level. I had the time of my life on the trip!” M Lowrey, participant 2007

Academic credit available on the New Zealand Summer Program

Click on the link below to view course and registration information for optional transferable credit available on this program.

Seattle Central Community College
Credit is available through the Seattle Central Community College Office of Cooperative Education and Service Learning. Whether you are from the US, Canada, or elsewhere, you are able to undertake this optional independent-study credit while on a Pacific Discovery program. Courses can be taken for 5 or 10 quarter credits and a maximum of 20 credits can be taken per quarter. This credit is a particularly good option for gap-year students and students wanting an economical credit option.

New Zealand Summer Program Itinerary

Conservation volunteering, cultural immersion and adventure travel through the North and South Islands of New Zealand

Day 1. Arrive Auckland, New Zealand. If on the group flight you will rendezvous in Los Angeles before embarking on an overnight flight to New Zealand (only 12 hours, but day lost enroute due to time zone). Arrive in Auckland, City of Sails…bright light and clean air awaits you. Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, sprawling across an incredible landscape of harbors and the eroded cones of extinct volcanoes. Warm welcome and program briefing.

Day 2. Bay of Islands. We make our way north to the stunning Bay of Islands. Visit Waitangi where New Zealand’s founding document the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Stay in historic Russell, once known as the ‘hell hole of the Pacific’ for its debauchery and lawlessness, but now a picturesque and popular ocean-side town.

Day 3. Urupukapuka Island. First-up we’ll visit a beautiful Kauri forest, before provisioning for our first volunteer project. In the afternoon we’ll travel by launch out to Urupukapuka island where you’ll get to see how beautiful the Bay of Islands really is. Evening project orientation.

Day 4-8. Volunteer Project One: Monday to Friday, working approximately 9am – 5pm, in the field. While on the island we stay in a simple lodge and will be cooking all meals together. On Friday afternoon we’ll return to Auckland.

Day 9. Auckland is the largest Polynesian city in the world and we experience its unique Pacific flavor at the Otara weekend market. Then enjoy free time to wander the waterfront, sip coffee while looking out at the hundreds of yachts moored in the harbor, catch up on laundry, email and relax after our first week of volunteering.

Day 10-12. Waitomo and Castle Rock. Home to great mountain biking, caving and rock climbing and you’ll have the chance to try them – no experience needed, but all abilities catered for! We’ll do an adventurous Indiana Jones style caving trip with a 200 ft rappel, visit the Maungatautari Ecological Island, an exciting conservation initiative, and spend a day climbing and mountain biking around the volcanic buttresses of Castle Rock. After each day of action you’ll enjoy soaking in a hot tub under the starry southern skies.

Day 13-15. Taupo to Wellington. Heading south, we stop for night in the lakeside resort town of Taupo, then continue on for a weekend in Wellington. On the way you’ll get to soak in natural hot springs and raft the waterfalls on the Kaituna River. Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city, is vibrant - great cafés and nightlife. We’ll visit Parliament to learn about New Zealand’s political system (more interesting than it sounds), and gain insight into Maori culture through an intimate Maori educational experience at the National Museum, before giving you free time to explore independently.

Day 16-17. To the South Island and Nelson. We board a ferry bound for the South Island. After crossing the fearsome Cook Strait, we cruise through the twisting arms of the glacial carved Marlborough Sounds, and leap ashore in Picton. A short drive through Marlborough’s vineyards brings us to sunny Nelson, our base for project two.  Enjoy a mountain bike ride on exciting scenic trails behind Nelson or head into the Abel Tasman National Park and its gorgeous golden sand beaches for a day hike.
Day 18-22. Volunteer Project Two: Monday to Friday, working approximately 9am – 5pm, in the field. On Friday afternoon we’ll drive to Punakaiki to begin our journey down the wild West Coast.

Day 23-24. West Coast Road Trip. Voted one of the top ten road trips in the world, we travel the length of the South Island’s West coast from Nelson to Queenstown. Enjoy rugged coastlines, beautiful rainforest and spectacular glaciers. We spend a night at Punakaiki, in a beach front hostel where the ocean’s roar will lull you to sleep. Two nights at Franz Joseph gives us a day to hike on the glacier, or spot rare white heron while canoeing on Lake Okarito. Options on offer include an introduction to ice climbing or heli-hiking on the glacier.

Day 25-27 Queenstown is the world’s adventure capital. The options are endless - go skiing or snowboarding at any of Queenstown’s three ski fields, try bungy jumping or any of the multitude of adventure activities on offer. Afterwards enjoy the après ski celebratory atmosphere. On our final evening we’ll take a gondola skyward to dine in a restaurant overlooking Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.

Day 28. Program concludes. Depart Queenstown via Auckland to Los Angeles or alternative destinations if not on the group flight.

New Zealand Summer Program Notes

Conservation volunteering, cultural immersion and adventure travel through the North and South Islands of New Zealand

Suitability

Open to students, graduates and non-students, ideally 18-25 years. This program is suitable for anyone of average fitness with an enthusiasm for conservation and new experiences. You need to be committed to, and prepared for, some physical work whilst on the volunteer component of the program i.e. trail building or the removal of invasive plants.

Accommodation

Our accommodation will be comfortable and clean hostels and lodges. Laundry, postal, telephone and email facilities will be available most days, except while in the field onthe volunteer projects.

Meals

Food is a highlight when traveling. Special dietary requirements and vegetarians are catered for. Two thirds of meals are included in the program cost. The remaining meals are not included to allow us a choice of when, where and what we eat. For the meals not included, you will have the option of dining out, or self-catering with others in the group.

Transport

For most travel we will use our own private vans with trailers.

Program fee

Program cost is $3,550 USD (change currency).

Program fee inclusions

Visa; All in-country travel and transport; All accommodation; Most meals; 2 weeks of volunteer conservation projects; Lectures from resident experts on conservation and eco-tourism; All excursions and activities as described in the itinerary (unless noted as optional); Experienced New Zealand program leader/s; Online image library for your program. Refer information booklet for international flight options.

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