About the Conservation Volunteer Project
This project is on a mission to empower the people of Aotearoa (New Zealand) to become kaitiaki (guardians) for nature in their communities. They want people to take action for nature and to create a world where people and nature thrive together.
Tōitu te marae a Tāne,
Tōitu te marae a Tangaroa,
Tōitu te whenua.
“When the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive”.
This project is a great opportunity for people with a love of the outdoors and an interest in the environment to take part in practical conservation projects. Volunteer on a range of projects to help protect, preserve and restore the natural environment of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Volunteers come from a wide range of backgrounds and no prior skills or experience are required. Projects are available to suit your availability and particular interests.
You can choose to volunteer in different locations around Aotearoa New Zealand and have the option to travel to a different project location every week. You will be in teams of up to 8 people on projects in urban, regional and remote locations.
Typical volunteer activities include:
- Planting native trees (during winter)
- Walking trail construction
- Wildlife surveys
- Raising native seedlings at the nursery
- Collecting and propagating seeds
- Controlling invasive plant species
- Beach and river clean-ups
- Conservation fencing and preparing planting sites
- Restoring coastlines
Please note that we are not able to guarantee particular project activities. They are dependent on seasonal conditions, as well as the conservation priorities at the specific time and location you have selected.
As such, you will likely be spending your time on a few different activities during your stay. The list above should be viewed as an example of the types of projects you may experience, but it is not as a guaranteed list.
These conservation projects are managed with project partners, who may include regional councils, national parks, museums, land-care groups, conservation departments and other national conservation agencies in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Available locations in Aotearoa New Zealand:
- Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland (North Island)
- Te Whanganui-a-Tara – Wellington (North Island)
- Ōtautahi – Christchurch (South Island)
Volunteers will receive:
- The opportunity to learn about conservation issues in Aotearoa New Zealand
- Practical conservation skills training is provided as part of each project
- The chance to make a voluntary contribution, earn references and certificates
- Team-based experience – living with up to 8 volunteers from around the world
- Opportunities to visit places tourists don’t normally see, including remote areas
- Certificate of appreciation upon completing the programme.
Location-specific activities
Volunteering takes place Monday to Friday. You will be shown how to use all tools and equipment safely before you start the project. Any essential safety equipment will be provided, and you will be shown how to use it. You will work alongside a trained guide during the day, with evenings left free to explore the area and catch up with fellow volunteers.
Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland
In Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland, you will be bringing biodiversity back to the city’s many parks and waterways. From large scale native plantings at Ātiu Creek Regional Park and trail maintenance in the Waitakere Ranges, to invasive plant removal and clean-ups. There are lots of ways to get involved to protect our important biodiversity.
Volunteer activities include protecting the incredible kauri forests, removing invasive plants, planting native species and more. There’s lots of variety which means one day you could be doing work to protect one of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s awesome beaches, and the next replanting native trees to restore an urban stream.
Te Whanganui-a-Tara – Wellington
In Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington, you will be helping re-growing the city’s green heart so it is once more a haven for native bird species. There are a great range of activities to be involved in, including replanting native forests across Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington’s reserves, streams and beaches.
There’s lots of variety every week, meaning you might be planting amongst the sand dunes one day, and gazing out at the views on Mount Victoria the next day.
Other activities can include working in the tree nursery and removing rubbish from beaches. We also make sure there’s time to explore the spectacular spots we volunteer at.
Ōtautahi – Christchurch
Water is the source of all life and in Ōtautahi Christchurch you will be helping to replant and restore important wetlands. This is to better protect the region’s waterways and its many native birds, lizards and bugs.
Volunteer activities may include planting native species along the banks of streams and around wetlands. As well as restoring native forests to the area, we are also improving the health of aquatic species. Other activities include preparing the ground for planting, releasing plants from weeds in previous plantings and mulching.
There will be a range of restoration projects in picturesque Whakaraupō, and a large-scale restoration project of the Ōtakaro Avon River Corridor.
“We’ll only ever achieve significant environmental change and care for the environment when people want that to happen. Getting them to pull on their gloves and boots and do something practical is a clear demonstration of their commitment and love for the environment, and we provide a focused and highly effective way for them to make a contribution.” – Quote from Project Manager
