Location
  • New Zealand
    • Auckland
    • Wellington
Length
26 - 52 weeks

Program Details

Timeframe
Fall Spring Winter Year Round
Housing
Host Family
Primary Language
English
Age Min.
18
Age Max
33

Pricing

Starting Price
11795
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Transportation Travel Insurance
Jan 28, 2023
Mar 06, 2013
38 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

United Planet presents an opportunity for those taking a gap year in the Land of the Long White Cloud - New Zealand. The perfect location for a Quest, it boasts breathtaking landscapes and gorgeous beaches, along with a wealth of activities for downtime. Stay with host families or opt for independent housing, based on availability.

Gain a true cultural immersion with United Planet's long-term volunteering option in New Zealand. Explore the country while contributing to local communities through various community development projects, including environmental conservation, community development initiatives and farm work.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Learn More about the Maori Culture!
  • Visit Famous Film Locations in New Zealand
  • Visit Auckland, the Largest City in New Zealand

Scholarships

United Planet Service Scholarships

Several scholarships are available for those looking to volunteer for a short or long-term period abroad with the non-profit organization United Planet, who work with communities in over 35 countries around the world.

Value
$250 - $5,000

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 1 review
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Housing 5
  • Support 4
  • Fun 5
  • Value 3
  • Safety 4
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 reviews
Default avatar
Katy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The 3 Kiwis

I work at McLaren Falls Park which is 20km from Tauranga, NZ in the Bay of Plenty. While each day is different I spend a couple of days each week cleaning toilets and BBQs. The other three days I am string trimming, mowing, maintaining walking tracks, picking up sticks, completing construction projects, and other general park maintenance tasks. Each morning I drive around and collect fees from the campers in the park. This is one of my favorite tasks as it allows me to meet people from all over the world. Since I work in a park I am learning about the native plants, trees, and birds of New Zealand as well as the challenges of combating exotic pests. Even though I work outside every day in all sorts of weather this allows me to experience and enjoy the many beautiful facets of the breathtaking nature that is New Zealand.
The environment is a major part of what makes New Zealand and my time here as a participant of the United Planet, ICYE, and ACVE programmes so incredible. The many lovely places I have visited by taking advantage of the excellently organized Department of Conservation tracks and visitor centres has definitely been one of the biggest highlights of my time here. In movies you see gorgeous vistas, but learn that the editors had to digitally remove a town or highway in the distance. In New Zealand such places of unimaginable beauty actual exist, no special effects required.
I am so grateful to United Planet, ICYE, and ACVE for existing and allowing me to have this awesome as experience in such an amazing place. During my time here I have learned so much, not only at work, but in my travels throughout the country. It has allowed me to see the world through a non-American focused lens. This has given me the gift of being able to more objectively see the unpleasant and great aspects of living in America. To understand big and little things that I take for granted and to put my worries into perspective; I am blessed.

What would you improve about this program?
As there was a pre-experience camp and informational weekend I would like there to be a post-experience one as well. On our three day weekend I met so many amazing people and while I have kept in touch with a few I would like to meet everyone again a learn how their 6/12 months went and what they learned and enjoyed/disliked about the country they lived in.
67 people found this review helpful.
Response from United Planet

Thank you, Katy, for your comments. Keep up your important work and soak in all the Kiwi beauty you can! If there are others from your group interested in getting together upon their return home, we are happy to coordinate this.

Questions & Answers