Spend your gap year walking in the footsteps of Frodo Baggins himself. Trek across Mount Doom (for real!), climb the steepest street in the world, and enjoy one of the most beautiful countries on the planet. The mountains are calling your name and telling you to do your gap year in New Zealand.
Ready to tackle these mountains? Get going on your gap year in New Zealand!
With its friendly people, unique culture, and small size, New Zealand is the perfect place to go. Whether you’re taking a break before starting college or before settling into your first “adult” job, a gap year abroad is a great idea. It’s beneficial, personally and professionally, to stretch outside of your comfort zone and program providers make it super easy, too. Besides, staying in your hometown to work is so overrated when you could be exploring Mordor.
By now, it’s probably tempting to go price up plane tickets or buy a new suitcase right away, but don’t get too ahead of yourself. First, find a program that’ll help give you the best gap year experience possible. Easier said than done though, that’s for sure! Thankfully, we’ve narrowed it down to some of our faves, so you can choose the most killer New Zealand gap year programs out there.
What makes these programs the “best”?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all gap year program. The best gap year program in New Zealand is the one that best suits you and the sort of experience you’re after. The perfect duration, location, price, and amount of provider involvement are different for everyone, so we’ve picked a wide variety of programs in the hopes that you’ll find one (or eight) that will peak your interest.
You’ll want to be cool, calm, and collected when you’re on your gap year. Rest assured we’ve picked the best programs for you so you’re ready to explore!
That being said, we didn’t just throw together this list willy nilly. There are some great benchmarks to follow when looking for a provider. Generally speaking, the best programs tick all of the following boxes:
- Positive reviews from alumni. Even though everyone’s needs are different, it can be nice to hear from travelers who’ve already been through the program. Did the provider treat them well? Was the program worth the money? These reviews can give you a better idea about what it will actually be like for you.
- Clarity and availability of information. No one likes to dig through a complicated, outdated website just to get a simple question answered. If it seems like a provider is hiding program details from potential travelers, it might not be a good sign.
- Good reputation and organizational partnerships. A great provider will come with a great reputation and connections to a lot of companies and services across the globe. Position name recognition isn’t everything, but it certainly doesn’t hurt.
- Resources for alumni. Coming back home can be hard! The provider should offer resources and support to help you with reverse culture shock and teach you how to utilize what you learned abroad (like adding the experience to your resume).
- Respect for local culture environment and individuals. A great way to get a feel for this is by looking at the photos they use on their website. For example, if there are any exploitative photos with animals, children, or culturally sensitive material, it’s a no go!
- Level of support and assistance. Are they responding to your calls or emails quickly? Does the program seem safe? Are the offering guidance before, during, and after your program? These are all important things to think about!
7 best gap year programs in New Zealand
1. Become a Ski or Snowboard Instructor with EA—Rating 10.0
Hit the slopes for your New Zealand gap year work and make all your friends back home jealous. If you’ve ever thought about becoming a skiing or snowboarding instructor, this program will knock your boots off. EA provides you with training, exams, transportation, lift passes, visa assistance, and so much more. You’re also guaranteed a paid instructor job once you’re certified, so you’ll be able to pay off program fees and fund some extra travel in no time.
This is a great choice for adrenaline junkies or adventure sport lovers because it takes you right into the adventure capital of the world. There won’t be a dull moment during your New Zealand gap year!
- Where: Queenstown, Mt. Hutt, or Mt. Ruapehu
- Duration: 3 or 5 months
- Cost: ~$5,900+
- More info: Read EA Ski and Snowboard Instructor Training reviews
2. Work Across New Zealand with BUNAC—Rating 10.00
If you’re looking for a good deal on New Zealand gap year programs, BUNAC has the hookup. You get total say on where you live, where and when you work, and how long you stay (keeping in mind that your Working Holiday Visa only lasts a year), but their friendly staff will help you out along the way. When it comes to getting your visa, setting up a bank account, finding accommodation, or finding a job, BUNAC is just a call or email away.
They’re a little more hands off than other providers, but they always give you that much-needed security blanket, just in case. You’ll be able to spend your weekends tramping through the Southern Alps or jet up to Cathedral Cove for a quick beach day without a care in the world.
- Where: Anywhere
- Duration: Up to 12 months
- Cost: ~$329+
- More info: Read BUNAC reviews
3. Australia & New Zealand Gap Year with Pacific Discovery—Rating 9.67
When you decide to go on a once-in-a-lifetime trip all the way to the other side of the world, you have to see a little bit of everything, which means visiting New Zealand and Australia. That can be a lot to coordinate on your own, so this program does all the hard work for you. Unsurprisingly, there’ll be no shortage of awesome adventures either, including service learning trips with Australia’s Parks and Wildlife service, backpacking in Kahurangi National Park, snorkeling in Byron Bay, rock climbing on Lake Wanaka, and so much more.
Pacific Discovery travels with only a small group of participants, so you’ll be able to get really close with your support staff and fellow gap year-ers. But, best of all, maybe you’ll finally be able to answer the age old question of whether the toilets flush the other way down under!
- Where: Across Australia and New Zealand
- Duration: 9-12 weeks
- Cost: ~$900+
- More info: Read Pacific Discovery reviews
4. Volunteer in New Zealand with International Volunteer HQ—Rating 9.54
Rather than simply partying it up overseas and waitressing when you need a bit of cash, maybe you’re interested in a gap year because it gives you the chance to give back and learn about a culture outside of your own. If that’s the case, then International Volunteer HQ has got your back. Their Auckland-based program has you doing NGO support, environmental education, or coastal conservation, and, trust us, there’s nothing more “New Zealand” than that!
Staff also encourage you to go away for the weekend to travel and see more of the country, beyond Auckland, NZ’s largest city. There’s the culture-packed capital of Wellington, the adrenaline-junkie paradise of Queenstown, and so many other awesome places to explore!
- Where: Auckland
- Duration: 2 -12 weeks
- Cost: ~$885+
- More info: Read International Volunteer HQ reviews
5. South Pacific Gap Year with Carpe Diem Education—Rating 9.0
Not sure if you should do your gap year in New Zealand, Fiji, or Australia? Well, our pro-tip would be to go with all three through Carpe Diem Education. Say “Yaama,” “Kia Ora,” and “Bula” to the program of your dreams!
Carpe Diem is all about intercultural exchange and experiential learning, which is awesome for your own personal development and helps your resume stand out once you get home. You’ll be volunteering with locals in a Fijian Village, getting some outdoor leadership practice in Abel Tasman National Park, and traveling to the Australian Outback to learn about Aboriginal people, just to name a few of the awesome inclusions.
- Where: Across Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji
- Duration: 3 months
- Cost: ~$14,900
- More info: Read Carpe Diem Education reviews
6. Find New Zealand Gap Year Jobs with InterExchange—Rating 9.0
Skydiving and bungee jumping and canyoning, oh my! There’s so much to do in New Zealand, and as convenient as it is to have a provider plan out your whole gap year, that may mean that you don’t get to do everything you want to. InterExchange feels ya, making this a great choice for a more free-spirited, self-driven traveler. They give you the tools you need to get started in NZ and find a job when and where you want, and then it’s up to you.
Of course, they offer plenty of in-country support, but if you don’t want to be tied down to a program group, this is a great option. Go out, see the whole country (we recommend zorbing in Rotorua and bungee jumping in Queenstown for starters), and have the time of your life.
- Where: Anywhere
- Duration: Up to 12 months
- Cost: ~$595+
- More info: Read InterExchange reviews
7. New Zealand Gap Year Work and Travel with Greenheart Travel—Rating 8.0
Whether you want to work part-time at the famous Fergburger restaurant in Queenstown or get some professional experience at a 9-to-5 in Auckland, this program can get you there. Finding New Zealand gap year jobs can be stressful, especially when you haven’t visited the country before, but Greenheart Travel has connections to a huge variety of industries and they’ll assist you in finding the perfect role to suit your adventure.
As much as you might not want to think about it now, Greenheart Travel is also really good about helping travelers adjust to life after they head back home. It can be a tough transition, but, thankfully, they won’t leave you hanging!
- Where: Anywhere
- Duration: 6 or 12 months
- Cost: ~$1,450
- More info: Read Greenheart Travel reviews
[View ALL Gap Year Programs in New Zealand]
Start packing for your journey to Middle Earth
Now is your chance to see these incredible views in person during your gap year in New Zealand!
A trip to NZ could never disappoint. Even in such a small country, there are so many amazing things you can do, like surfing at Piha Beach, hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, wine tasting in Nelson, or jet boating in Queenstown. So, why not check them all out during your gap year?
There’s a huge variety of New Zealand gap year programs available to you, so take your time looking through them until you find the best one. Even if you don’t find something that suits your needs on this list, don’t be discouraged! Remember, the “best” program doesn’t have to be the best for everyone, it just has to be the best for you. Once you decide, that’ll be the time to price up plane tickets and buy a suitcase, because you’ll be well on your way to NZ! We hope you have a sweet as time.
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