Travelers from the world over find themselves daydreaming about New Zealand, and for darn good reason. With a topography unrivaled by almost anywhere else on Earth, a friendly and hospitable culture, and those cute little kiwi birds, it’s not hard to see why volunteering in New Zealand constantly lands at the top of to-do lists. In the Land of the Long White Cloud, you’ll find the romanticism of travel—and some truly meaningful volunteer projects.
Make your dreams come true when you wake up to this every morning!
Although New Zealand frequently ranks as a dream destination, there is a lot more to be found there than just picturesque mountain and beach vacations. Volunteer opportunities in New Zealand are abundant, and it is a premier destination for those who want to commit any amount of time to making a difference in the isolated locale. You know what they say—come for the trail to Mordor, stay for the stellar volunteer work.
15 reasons to volunteer in New Zealand
1. There’s a wide variety of causes.
Think you’ll be limited to (Mordor) trail building and tree planting in this outdoorsy paradise? Think again. There is a wide range of volunteer opportunities all over New Zealand, and while outdoor projects such as conservation and wildlife are common, humanitarians still have plenty of other options.
For instance, New Zealand has been hit by powerful earthquakes in recent years, as well as occasional tsunamis and cyclones. Thus, it is not difficult to find projects in disaster relief or building and construction projects. Furthermore, the native Maori people have struggled against marginalization for decades, so look for opportunities in anthropology or social work as well.
Join the community and choose one of the many causes to be apart of in New Zealand.
2. It’s hella safe.
Why volunteer in New Zealand? Because the risk to you is low, especially when compared to other popular volunteer destinations. If volunteering in New Zealand is your first time abroad, or your first time leaving home for an extended period of time, you might be hesitant to take the plunge. Going abroad can be nerve-wracking thanks to all the scary news out there, but you can rest easy (and so can Mom and Dad) while doing volunteer work in New Zealand. The country is remarkably safe, and is actually even revered for its hitchhiking (although we do not condone recklessness).
3. The views. The incredible views.
We might be sounding like a broken record, but New Zealand is stunning. One of the major benefits of volunteering in New Zealand is that no matter which opportunities you decide to seize upon, and no matter where said opportunities take you, you will be left in awe by the countryside surrounding you.
There are the sunny, isolated beaches up north, peppered by mandarin and avocado farms; sunny, yellow-sand beaches on the east coast, to smooth, black-sand beaches and riptides on the west coast; misty, peaceful orchards abound inland, and incredible, snow-capped mountain ranges greet you with every twist along the alpine roads. Should we go on?
Every view of New Zealand is sure to stun you!
4. Providers are reliable and highly rated.
New Zealand volunteer programs are quite popular indeed, and as they continue to gain traction, the quality and reliability of providers grows. Demand is high, meaning providers will compete to win all those bright-eyed and bushy-tailed volunteers, which really only means good things for you! Feel free to let your guard down a bit while perusing potential volunteer opportunities in New Zealand, since being scammed isn’t super likely. That being said, still keep your common sense with you.
5. The welcoming culture.
New Zealanders (aka Kiwis) are fun and friendly people, another reason why volunteering in New Zealand can't be missed. They are hardworking, take great pride in their country, and get on well with anybody—although, they do sometimes enjoy to tease the “yanks”. When you volunteer in New Zealand, you will be lucky enough to experience Kiwi culture firsthand, and you may even return home with some new, sweet as lingo.
Read More: 9 Affordable Volunteer Programs in New Zealand
6. There is nothing that wants to kill you.
One of our favorite benefits of volunteering in New Zealand is that you won’t have to worry about lions, tigers, or bears, and definitely not venomous snakes or spiders. New Zealand’s neighbor to the near west, Australia, instills fear in a lot of people who have issues with creepy-crawlies. However, New Zealand is a different story entirely. Supposedly, there are a few species of Australian venomous spiders that have taken up residence inland on the South Island, but you would have to go pretty far out of your way to find one. Good luck with the sandflies, though.
Don’t worry about running into anything scary...just some birds!
7. Programs are high quality and meaningful.
Mornings spent on coffee runs and afternoons spent answering phones? Nah, not with these programs! You can count on being an essential cog in the volunteer machine with New Zealand volunteer programs, and getting your hands dirty will be the norm—sometimes literally. Luckily, the management behind most programs recognizes that you didn’t fly thousands of miles to sit in an office chair and play Minesweeper, so expect to be out there amongst it.
Example programs to check out include GoEco (for a high quality conservation experience), Pupu Rangi Nature Sanctuary (if you're okay with roughin' it), or IVHQ (budget-friendly program options in a variety of fields).
8. The language makes it easier.
Still wondering why volunteering in New Zealand is the right move? Well, Kiwis speak English, which can make the entire volunteer in New Zealand experience much more simple. We strongly support language-learning, but volunteering abroad in a country where you don’t speak the native language can sometimes be counterproductive. In New Zealand, you won’t have to worry so much about getting acclimated to a new language or easing into culture shock, and that means you can get right to work and start making a difference sooner!
9. The hobbits.
New Zealand is essentially synonymous with Lord of the Rings now. Gandalf and other characters have even been known to adorn the sides of Air New Zealand airplanes. All around the country there is plenty to see and do for superfans (or super curious). When not busy with your volunteer work in New Zealand, there are dozens of interesting and beautiful filming locations to explore and experience that will make you feel like you were meant to live in Middle Earth. And, yeah, hobbit holes are just as cute and fun as they sound.
Take a gander to visit Frodo and Sam while you’re at it!
10. There is earning potential.
Although paid volunteer opportunities aren’t a thing, there is the possibility to make a little extra dough on the side while volunteering in New Zealand. Depending on your age, you will most likely apply for and receive the Working Holiday Visa in order to volunteer in New Zealand. That type of visa opens a lot of doors to part time job opportunities and a decent minimum wage. If your volunteer project doesn’t leave you too busy or exhausted, it’ll definitely be possible to find work on the side for some extra pocket money.
11. You will find a community.
One of the coolest benefits of volunteering in New Zealand is that lots of other people do it, too! That means you’ll easily find like-minded adventurers and volunteers, and quickly build a community of meaningful travelers to befriend and spend free time with. That can be a relief for a lot of people, especially those who easily get homesick or who are social butterflies in general. There’s no telling what kinds of personal or professional connections you can make with New Zealand volunteer programs. Either way, you’re almost guaranteed to have a good time.
Read More: The Pros & Cons of Volunteering in New Zealand
12. The weather is oh so pleasant!
New Zealand enjoys a subtropical climate, meaning it stays pretty mild year-round. The North and South Islands don’t expand too great a distance, but the two islands do have somewhat varied climates—expect toasty summers at the tip top of the North Island, and frigid, snowy winters at the bottom of the South Island. In between those points, the thermometer doesn’t move too far in one direction or the other.
This is beneficial for long term volunteers who won’t have to pack a ton of gear for the changing seasons, and for short term volunteers who won’t be in danger of having their brief time in the country thwarted by unpredictable weather. By the way, keep in mind that the seasons are flip-flopped from those in the Northern Hemisphere!
Enjoy an amazing outdoor climate all year long.
13. Return home with new knowledge and skills.
So you know that New Zealand is gorgeous and that Lord of the Rings was filmed there, but what else do you know? Aotearoa will provide lots of opportunities to learn about geology, ecosystems, and ancient cultures—possibly even during your volunteer program! We highly recommend visiting a living Maori village during a weekend off from volunteering in New Zealand, where you’ll get to learn haka and feast on hangi. You’ll leave New Zealand absolutely stunned that your eyes had never been opened to what gives the country so much depth.
14. Adventure awaits!
Why volunteer in New Zealand? Because when you do, you’ll be an adventurer by default. Even the most reserved, shy volunteers come out of their shells when they’re within these thrilling borders. Skydiving, bungee jumping, and surfing are all incredibly popular in New Zealand, but non-adrenaline junkies will find safer adventures along hundreds of hiking trails and many miles of coastline. Don’t be surprised to find that the adventurous spirit of New Zealand has infiltrated your volunteer opportunities; many programs include excursions to exciting hotspots.
15. The accents are super fun.
If you don’t believe that the Kiwi accent is the best accent, then we’ll just have to agree to disagree. Every conversation you have will be more charming than the last, and even getting reprimanded by your supervisor can be a fun time. All right, we might be over-exaggerating a bit, but just wait until you hear it firsthand during your volunteer work in New Zealand.
Next steps to become a New Zealand volunteer abroad
Now that you have the inside scoop, know where many volunteers choose to spend their time, and know common causes that volunteers are working to eradicate, it's time to choose who you want to volunteer abroad with! Choosing a program isn't as hard as it sounds, especially if you follow these steps:
- Decide where to go. Figuring out where YOU should volunteer in New Zealand is paramount. Have a short list of locations that sound ideal for your goals and skills (i.e. if you don't have experience working with animals, you might reconsider volunteering in a kiwi park). Don't let the lack of meat pies hold you back—choose a place that's right for you.
- Pick your project. Are you a future conservationist? Do some reflection on what skills and knowledge you bring to the table, and which project would best benefit from your time and energy.
- Choose from the best volunteer abroad programs in New Zealand. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, program/university reputation, location, and how the project's needs match your skills. Some programs may even share contact info for ambassadors or past participants if you want the REAL dirt. Here are more considerations to make as you figure out how to choose the right volunteer program for you. Pro tip: You can use MyGoAbroad to compare programs side-by-side.
- Plan your finances. Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge on travel (in addition to program costs and airfare). Be sure to raise a little extra money to donate to the organization that you'll be working with. Learning how to fund your volunteer abroad adventure is essential prior to your travels!
- Get prepared! Preparing to volunteer abroad is as fun as (more fun than?) it sounds. With the days til departure number dwindling and your excitement boiling, it can be easy to overlook the details. Lean on us to help guide you through your pre-departure process—that's what we're here for.
The perks of becoming a volunteer in New Zealand are vast!
Get ready for your adventure volunteering in New Zealand!
The reasons to volunteer in New Zealand go far beyond the run-of-the-mill. Sure, volunteering here will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but there are even more draws than that. Challenging, high quality programs? Check. Safety and security? Check. Charming people? Check. Significant lack of snakes? Check! Truly, the list of reasons to find New Zealand volunteer programs goes on and on.
What are you waiting for? Before you’re knackered, grab your jumper and a flat white, and find the right New Zealand volunteer programs for you! We wouldn’t want you to feel gutted, mate.
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