Volontaire Jobs in New Zealand

Volunteer Program

General Descripton

The main volunteer course is for conservation volunteer. Under this course volunteers come to school either full time or part time for at least 4 weeks and then travel to another part of NZ to do volunteer work on one of NZ's conservation projects.

Volunteers have to commit to at least 2 weeks on a project but most do 1 or 2 months.

While on the project you can expect to work for between 4 and 6 hours a day. Most of the work is outside so you need to be fit.  You may be clearing scrub, collecting seeds, planting out seedlings, taking sightings of birds, fencing, digging, maintaining walking tracks etc. 

It is important that you know it can be hard, boring work but the views are amazing and we have not yet had a volunteer that regretted going.

Accommodation and traveling costs

Most students usually stay in a homestay while they attend school.

Accommodation is free while on the project but you have to pay for your own food. You also need to pay for your own travel costs from Wellington to the project. Most projects are at the top of the North Island.

Costs:

1) English Course:

• Registration fee $200
• (at least) 4 weeks tuition fee - part time (@$195 per week) $780 OR
• 4 weeks tuition fee – full time (@$295 per week) $1,180
• homestay registration fee $200
• 4 weeks homestay 2008 (@$180 per week) $720

2) Volunteer Program

• volunteer project arrangement fee $300
•  ($200 for second or subsequent projects)

Application requirements and time:

You need:

• to complete the volunteers application form,
• send us a passport sized photo,
• covering letter stating how long you want to volunteer for and how many
  projects you want give additional information if you have any special requests (e.g. wants to do a project in the South Island, or wants to travel for 3 weeks after school and before starting the project etc).

All these will be needed at least 6-8 weeks before you arrive.

We STRONGLY recommend that you build travel time into your timetable somewhere as you will want to do it!

The school will try to get confirmation of a project before you leave your home country which will include a gear list to bring.

Gear List

Usually volunteers need to bring wet weather gear, a sleeping bag and strong
hiking or work boots.

If you are due to be on a project over Christmas/New Year then you need to be prepared to travel during this time as most projects close for these two weeks (some stay open).