Make a Difference and Do Something Worthwhile by Volunteering in New Zealand
When you hear of volunteering on a gap year, perhaps New Zealand isn’t the first country that pops up in most people’s heads. Nonetheless, New Zealand has communities, wildlife and wilderness that need your help. Volunteer projects, such as volunteering with the Department of Conservation or going on a “voluntour”, only require you to commit to a day, a week or a month. That makes it easy for us backpackers to incorporate volunteering into your New Zealand gap year, between working, travelling and WWOOFing, for example. Check out the list below for good reasons to volunteer during your gap year.
To find some projects near you, browse the volunteer opportunities listed on our job listings page.
1. Make a Difference and “Be the Change You Wish to See in the World”
Gandhi’s quotes make a good start to any list, right? But true are his words! Choose an organisation to volunteer for with values close to your heart and get that good feeling you have when you take a step towards change!
© Imgur2. Do Something Different. Be a Trailblazer!
Add a bit of spice to your gap year! Instead of coming back home with the standard story of: travel, fruit-picking, travel, waiting tables, travel, etc. Add volunteering into the mix to set yourself apart from the rest.
© Pexels3. Get Some Zen Time
What better way to get away from the world than staying overnight on a pest-free island or somewhere deep in the New Zealand wilderness? The only background noise you’ll hear will be the tweeting of the birds and the crackling of the campfire. It’s the perfect time to reflect on the meaning of life, isn’t it?
© Unsplash4. Mingle with the Locals
Break the mould of just moving from hostel to hostel and spending all your time with other travellers. Volunteering is one way to meet locals, as very often it is locals who run the volunteer programs and a lot of locals get involved in volunteering too. Become a part of their community and they will be sure to help you discover the area you are in.
© Pexels5. Meet Like-minded People
No, this is not an ad for the latest dating site. When volunteering, you’ll be surrounded by travellers and locals that want to better our world. Since you will be choosing which cause to support, you will get to spend time with people that believe in the same thing as you. That’s the perfect recipe for life long friendship, isn’t it?
© Pixabay6. Get Off the Beaten Track
There is one thing that is sure when volunteering: you will get off the beaten track! Choosing to volunteer for eco-organisations or the Department of Conservation will open the door to some pristine locations. You’ll see spots of the country that very few travellers get to see or at least fully experience themselves. You’ll get to make the most of that special place.
© NZPocketGuide.com7. Go on Nighttime Kiwi-finding Adventures
Let’s be honest. You REALLY want that kiwi bird picture. And kiwi birds are near impossible to find in the wild on your own. Many conservation groups monitor them and take volunteers to help them with their operation. (As we did, check out our story here). Seeing the little creatures in their natural habitat is the greatest reward of them all after a long hard day of work maintaining pest traps.
© NZPocketGuide.com8. Lower the Carbon Footprint of Your Travels
Travelling, and especially air travelling, is one of the most polluting industries in the world. A return flight from the US all the way down to New Zealand emits on average 2.5 tonnes of CO2. It’s 3.39 tonnes if you are flying from Europe. Work towards lowering your carbon footprint by planting some trees while you are here with a conservation group.
© Pexels9. Really Get to Know the Country
New Zealand is the adventure capital of the world, but it is not all about bungy jumps, skydives and jet boats down here. We have a rich culture, awesome food and an amazing spirit to share with the world. Embrace the culture by helping us to keep it alive, which often involves a BBQ as a reward and celebration at the end of a volunteer day!
© NZPocketGuide.com10. Learn Something New
Volunteering involves learning about a great cause, new skills and the impact of one person’s actions on the rest of society and the world. Plus, dare we remind you that it looks very good on a CV?!
© Imgur
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- MBIE Immigration and Workers Rights (Working rights in New Zealand - Updated [2024])
- Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2024])
- Stats NZ (Statistics and travel data - Updated [2024])
- Council websites (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2024])
- New Zealand Customs Service (Customs and Biosecurity - Updated [2024])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2024])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2024])
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2024])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
