A gap year in New Zealand means all kinds of opportunities to explore this beautiful country. You can choose to settle on one of its two big islands—North or South—or venture out to any of the almost 600 smaller islands. No matter where you go, you’re going to find yourself in awe of the landscape, the diversity, and the animal life.
From the towering mountain ranges to the coral reefs, and from the crystal waters of Lake Gunn to the brilliant (and rightly named!) Emerald Lakes, this gorgeous part of the world will have you reaching for your camera, no matter what kind of New Zealand gap year pursuits you choose!
Now this is a gap year! New Zealand has natural beauty that will make you pinch yourself.
But the geography, biodiversity, and incredible climate are only part of what makes a year in New Zealand an exceptional opportunity for any gapper. In addition to the rich economic city centers (in places like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch), the vibrant tourist trade, and the cutting-edge approach to environmental technologies, focusing your gap year in New Zealand also means an amazing opportunity to participate in the Kiwi way of life. And, with so many wonderful options, it stands to reason that you’d want some help sorting through what makes the best fit for you!
8 best ways to spend your gap year in New Zealand
1. Work with the amazing animals!
Owing to the fact that New Zealand was geographically isolated for millions of years longer than most of the inhabited islands in this area of the Pacific, all kinds of species of plants, animals, and even fungi were allowed to flourish. However, with the introduction of more and more people, over half of these species were made extinct! If you’re passionate about animal conservation, a New Zealand gap year is an excellent way for you to contribute to a fantastic cause and add value, all while building your own skill-set in a wide variety of locations!
Where? Auckland, Christchurch, Cook Islands, Queenstown, South Island, Wellington, and various rural locations
When? Year-round
Program options:
2. Take advantage of the opportunities for big-time adventure travel
From the mountains to the volcanoes, and from the lakes to the plains, the landscape of New Zealand has something for every kind of outdoor adventurer there is! Add to this the fact that the country has four seasons and so many different islands to choose from, and you can easily see how a New Zealand gap year can add up to big-time adventure travel and big-time fun! You can camp, backpack, hike, climb, ski, and trek, going anywhere your feet can take you.
Where? Auckland, Blenheim, Bluff, Cambridge, Central Otago, Christchurch, Dunedin, Gisborne, Hamilton, Invercargill, Marlborough, Nelson, New Otago, Plymouth, Queenstown, Rotorua, Taupo, and more!
When? Winter (June-September) for skiing, Spring/Summer (October-March) for hiking
Program options:
3. Get in the water and make some waves!
New Zealand has lots to offer on land and especially in the sea.
As you already know, adventure travel is an excellent thing to focus on when it comes to your year in New Zealand. However, if you’re a water-lover, the opportunities here for making waves are a category all on its own! From scuba diving, snorkeling, and surfing, to canoeing, rafting, and sea kayaking, the beautiful Pacific coasts of New Zealand offer incredible opportunities. And so do the beautiful beaches, lakes, and rivers! No matter what kind of fins or oars you’re most likely to grab, there is a current for you to follow in New Zealand.
Where? Auckland, Christchurch, Nelson, Queenstown, Taupo, Wellington, Whangarei
When? Summer (October - February)
Program options:
4. Live your faith in a like-minded community.
If you’re a person driven by a commitment to your faith, you will find all kinds of opportunities to work and worship with others as part of your experience abroad, making your New Zealand gap year one of passion and purpose. Some programs are exclusively focused on faith-based initiatives, while other programs include religious studies and catechism as part of the overall offerings. Both kinds will provide opportunities for you to share your faith with others during a gap year in New Zealand.
Where? Auckland, Christchurch, South Island, Wellington
When? Year-round
Program options:
5. Take an internship opportunity—or get a gap year job!
If your passion is politics, technology, or trade, you can score a great internship or apply for one of the amazing New Zealand gap year jobs that await you! With additional opportunities in fields like agriculture, infrastructure, environmental conservation, textiles, renewable energy, and engineering, the job market in New Zealand is strong (and continues to grow!) making it a fantastic place to get some additional work-related experience as a gapper abroad!
Where? Auckland, Christchurch, Cook Islands, Queenstown, South Island, Wellington, and more
When? Year-round
Program options:
6. Be an au pair and spend your gap year with a family
Working for a family during your New Zealand gap year may help you fight off homesickness.
If you want to spread your wings a bit in order to gain some independence, but also enjoy the feeling of being part of a family (or if you have a calling to work with kids), then the opportunity to explore New Zealand gap year jobs as an au pair could be the perfect fit! Offering additional opportunities to experience the Kiwi way of life is only one of the many benefits of being a contributing member of a family as an au pair. These gap year positions often include additional travel and almost always include all accommodations, meals, and travel fees.
Where? Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Queenstown, Rotorua, South Island, Wellington, and more
When? Summer (October - February)
Program options:
7. Teach abroad and share what you know
If you want to teach during your gap year, New Zealand offers all kinds of opportunities for you to share your knowledge, your skills, and your teacher’s heart! Whether you’re working in youth development, engaging in the Maori population’s educational initiatives, sharing your expertise as a creative writer, or helping kids learn more about the wonders of music, there are all kinds of programs for your year in New Zealand that will help you make an impact! If you have the skillset and a desire to help, the possibilities for a teach abroad gap year are limitless.
Where? Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and more
When? Fall (March - June), Winter (June - September)
Program options:
8. Create a customized experience—and discover yourself!
There are so many different things that you might choose to do during your New Zealand gap year that it might be difficult to choose. So, don’t forget that you can also create a custom program that includes more than one opportunity. You can even leave the experience open enough to focus on self-discovery. Travel is one of the greatest ways to experience the world, and the power of travel-connected education is unparalleled. If your calling is a gap year, New Zealand offers something for everyone, including those who want to do a little bit of everything!
Where? Auckland, Christchurch, Cook Islands, Queenstown, South Island, Wellington, and more
When? Year-round
Program options:
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Make the most of your time with fun gap year activities in New Zealand
For your gap year in New Zealand, get ready for experiences that will bring you to new heights!
With so many great options for a gap year in New Zealand, the countless opportunities to explore (or rest, or play, or get one of the available New Zealand gap year jobs!) provide some exceptional choices. But don’t forget all the other great things that this beautiful country with its incredible history has to offer! As you think about studying or surfing, working or volunteering, teaching or adventuring, don’t let the excitement of your New Zealand gap year distract you from all that this amazing country offers for you to see, do, and experience.
Make sure you include all kinds of real-life moments as part of your New Zealand gap year abroad! Find the time to let yourself be inspired by the pre-match haka performed by the All Blacks, the national New Zealand rugby team! Dive into a big plate of fresh seafood, meat, and corn prepared in a pit oven (called an umu) that’s been heated with rocks. Celebrate the sunrise with an early morning snorkel, swim, or surf...or hit the slopes, take a hike, or see the sights! Just remember, whatever your gap year plans might hold, you can count on New Zealand to deliver what you’re looking for. And that’s sweet as.
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