New Zealand is a country located to the southeast of Australia in the Pacific Ocean, and despite its island makeup, life here is not typical island living. If you picture The Lord of the Rings, you’ll get more of the right idea. The rolling green landscapes, not the elves, the fires of Mount Doom, or the looming fate of civilization resting on one ring. Despite lacking those exciting qualities in real life, New Zealand gap year programs will be nothing short of an adventure!
New Zealand has options for every type of gapper—no matter if you like traipsing across mountains and catching monstrous waves in the Pacific, or if you just enjoy observing the beauty of both and the many forests, lakes, and fiords of New Zealand—you’ll find options that are adrenaline inducing and awe-inspiring alike!
Between the nature, the laid back lifestyle (except for the excitement of an All Blacks rugby game where blood, sweat, and tears will likely be shed), and ease of access to efficient public transport, recognizable foods, and only one (endangered) type of poisonous spider, New Zealand is an ideal location for the best gap year programs around!
New Zealand gap year FAQs
New Zealand gap year programs are appealing in and of themselves, we don’t have to do much convincing on that front… we mean, come on now. BUT if you are hung up on the small details or the unknown of taking a gap year in New Zealand, we’re here to put those hesitations to rest.
1. What are the benefits of a gap year in New Zealand?
Despite the far distance and long flights (from many places around the world), there are many, many reasons that taking planes, trains, and automobiles to get to New Zealand is a priceless experience. The best of the best gap year programs will open up doors of opportunity for gaining a more global perspective, expanding your cultural competency, and learning to live and thrive within a new culture in a different part of the world! All of these qualities are ideal for making your resume shine in job future searches AND are great opportunities for personal growth as well.
It’s all fun and games until the All Blacks take the field
You will increase your ability to adapt and establish your life in a new city. It is an exciting and invigorating process that has endless personal and professional growth opportunities—especially with programs for gap year in New Zealand jobs. Work experience abroad makes you more competitive and attractive during your future job search. Your life will be forever changed from a gap year in New Zealand. This may sound cliche, but give it a try and tell us how it goes!
2. What are the best locations for a New Zealand gap year?
Auckland gap year programs are in one of the top rated cities for quality of life and livability. Sounds pretty legit, right? From the kissing of the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea, to the high-rise heart of the city, Auckland has plenty to do during your gap year in New Zealand!
Queenstown is another great location for New Zealand gap year programs! Queenstown is the self proclaimed adventure capital of the world with its long list of things to do including playing in the many beautiful, crystal lakes, zip-lining through surreal greenness, and skiing and snowboarding in the winter months.
Another great option in New Zealand is Wellington. Located on the harbor, Wellington has options for play in the summer, and enjoyment for the blankets of snow in the winter. As a smaller city, despite being New Zealand’s capital, which allows you to explore the many museums, trendy restaurants, and art galleries and theaters with ease.
And lastly, Christchurch offers a European flare to your New Zealand gap year that is also, as expected, sprinkled with nature. As a city that is still undergoing rebuilds from earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, Christchurch will surprise you its unique chaos and colors.
3. How safe are gap year programs in New Zealand?
Your camera is going to get an extra hard workout on your gap year in New Zealand!
It should always be a top concern to stay safe during any travel experience, but staying safe during your gap year program is integral to making your experience reach its fullest potential. Lucky for you and your fellow gappers, New Zealand is a pretty safe place to travel! With low crime rates and friendly locals, New Zealand is an ideal location for adventure travelers like you!
As always, it’s important that you take the normal safety precautions of traveling abroad. Make sure you stay aware of your surroundings, it’s probably best not to travel to unfamiliar places alone at night, make some friends and travel with them when possible—or at least let them know where you’re off to, and last, but not least, have fun and follow your gut!
In the off chance that something does happen, make sure to know where your local embassy is so they can help you if need be. Check out GoAbroad’s Embassy Directory for help in locating your embassy.
4. What do people do during gap year programs in New Zealand?
As you can probably guess by now, adventure travel is popular for New Zealand gap year programs for obvious reasons. Whether you want to help in conservation efforts, scuba dive, or catch all of the gnarly waves you can, New Zealand has many adventures and wilderness for you to explore… and fall in love with.
Working in New Zealand is another common gap year option. Gap year New Zealand jobs can range from au pairing to working on a farm or at a camp, or even up to the mountains as a ski instructor. This wide range of opportunities allows for gappers to find the right gap year work in New Zealand based on their interests and passions.
Gap year programs in New Zealand can also be a volunteer, study, or a teach abroad opportunity.
5. How much does a gap year in New Zealand cost & how can I pay for it?
New Zealand gap year programs are going to vary in cost. The gap year programs that have all of the bells and whistles—accommodation, in-country support, transportation to several locations, top-notch adventures and tours, etc.—will be a bit more expensive than the straightforward options that allow you to settle in one place and get involved in the community in various ways.
To get more exact details on the cost of your New Zealand gap year program, make sure to contact your program provider. And when making your decision to see if the cost is worth the experience, ask about where your money is going and what exactly it is paying for. If the cost of a gap year in New Zealand is worrisome for you, check out our scholarship directory and also consider creating a crowdsource fundraiser with FundMyTravel!
5 recommended gap year programs in New Zealand
1. Carpe Diem Education South Pacific Gap Year
This three month long program will help you appreciate the incredible natural beauty in New Zealand, as well as opportunities within Australia and Fiji. Through experiential learning, gappers are able to learn about aboriginal communities and Maori history and traditional practices, as well as opportunities for trips up Mount Ngauru—a.k.a. Mount Doom from Lord of the Rings! You will have the chance to experience genuine intercultural exchange and the adventures of a lifetime.
- Where? Rural areas in New Zealand
- Program focus: Community service & volunteering, experiential learning, and outdoor education
- More info: Read Carpe Diem Education reviews
2. Become a Ski or Snowboard Instructor in New Zealand
This program—which also has opportunities in Canada, Switzerland, Japan, and the United States—helps you get experience in the competitive ski and snowboard instructor field. This training program has incredible perks for gappers, such as paid job offers, lift passes, and visa assistance, just to name a few! You will get to meet and develop friendships with like minded individuals who also have a passion for the snow. With this world class training program, you will learn all you need to know to have a successful career and the experience of a lifetime!
- Where? Central Otago, Christchurch, Queenstown, South Island, and Taupo in New Zealand
- Program focus: Cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, and snowboarding amongst other adventures)
- More info: Read EA Ski & Snowboard Instructor Training reviews
3. Work and Travel in New Zealand
InterExchange offers gappers the opportunity to work short-term jobs, for up to a year, while backpacking, climbing, hiking, and swimming in New Zealand. With access to job boards, a job referral service, an orientation session, and in-country support, gappers are set up for success… and fun! You get to build your experience with the support of InterExchange to make it into exactly the New Zealand gap year experience you are looking for.
- Where? Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Queenstown, Rotorua, South Island, Tauranga, Wellington, and Whangarei in New Zealand
- Program focus: Many options from tourism and hospitality to camp counselors and trip leaders
- More info: Read InterExchange reviews
4. Conservation Volunteer Program in New Zealand
Help with conservation efforts in New Zealand with Volunteering Solutions. This is the perfect program for those who not only have an environmental conscience, but also want to actively do something to protect the environment. You’ll be able to join in on ongoing efforts by helping track cutting, pest control, and animal monitoring, as well as tree planting and releasing throughout different seasons. All of your work is alongside professional environmentalists which will help you gain legitimate and meaningful experience.
- Where? Auckland, Christchurch, South Island, and Wellington in New Zealand
- Program focus: Conservation, volunteering, and adventure travel
- More info: Read Volunteering Solutions reviews
5. Work and Travel in New Zealand with Greenheart Travel
Greenheart Travel offers the opportunity for gappers to work and gain international experience through New Zealand gap year programs. You can work for up to a year in service industry or career-oriented opportunities. You’ll be welcomed to a week of excursions and group activities that will help you get settled in your new home and excited to start your big adventure! Pro tip: if you bring a friend with you, you’ll both save $$$ on your program. That’s a great way to convince your best friend to join you on the biggest adventure of your life.
- Where? Various locations in New Zealand
- Program focus: Everything from sales and agriculture, to hospitality and tourism
- More info: Read Greenheart Travel reviews
[Browse MORE Opportunities in Our Directory of Gap Year Programs in New Zealand]
You’re ready for a year in New Zealand!
We’re all cheering for you on deciding to take a gap year in New Zealand!!!
Making the decision to take a gap year in New Zealand may seem *easy* and a bit of a *duh, why wouldn’t you??*, but it is also a major decision to make. What happens after your New Zealand gap year? What do you pack and how do you prepare for such a life changing experience? Or when do you even take a gap year??? All of these questions are legit and lucky for you, we’re here to help you every step of the way. As long as you see what an incredible experience a gap year in New Zealand can be, you just have to say yes to the experience and welcome our guidance.
This experience may change the trajectory of your life. You may learn what makes you come alive and maybe you’ll never want to leave New Zealand (this doesn’t seem so far-fetched). Open your mind and your heart to the experience and you will have endless opportunities to grow and challenge yourself and learn. You will come home with a multitude of stories to tell, and many memories that will be hard to put into words, but will always bring a smile to your face.
Take the chance and invest in your future, take a gap year in New Zealand today!
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