The Standard ISV New Zealand Program is four weeks in length and consists of a two-week Volunteer Project and a two-week Adventure Tour within New Zealand. 

Participants traveling to New Zealand may also choose a Customized ISV Program and select an additional Volunteer Project within New Zealand, extending their Program to a total of six weeks.

The Customized ISV Program also gives participants the option to travel to a second or third country for additional Volunteer Projects and/or Adventure Tours as outlined in the Customized Program Options under “Terms and Conditions”.  Please click on the Terms and Conditions link on this website for specific dates, costs and policies.

New Zealand Volunteer Programs & Adventure Travel Tours

Travel to New Zealand to volunteer and participate in one of many conservation programs such as:

• Habitat Restoration
• Restoration of Island Sanctuaries
• Environmental Education
• Government Environmental Organizations

• Black water rafting through the Waitomo Caves
• White water rafting the Kaituna River
• A full day hike on the spectacular Franz Josef Glacier
• Zorbing in Rotorua
• Exploring ‘Hells Gate’, a geothermal hotspot and relax in a mud bath
• See a real life Kiwi bird and learn about this endangered New Zealand icon
• A traditionally cooked meal or ‘hangi’ and Maori cultural show
• Experience the Kiwi night life in Queenstown and Wellington
• Get the adrenaline pumping on the Shotover Jet boat
• Kayaking through the Abel Tasman National Park

Programs run between May 14 and August 20, 2009
AND
January 10, 2010

Help conserve New Zealand’s vulnerable ecosystems and wildlife!

"I absolutely loved New Zealand. It is a beautiful country and it was a pleasure learning about kiwis and the Maori and to help in a small way in preserving their beautiful land." - Margaret Niesen, University of Wisconsin

About ISV's New Zealand Conservation Projects

New Zealand is like no other place on earth. The iconic kiwi bird is a flagship species that exemplifies the plight of New Zealand’s rare and threatened species. Land management practices have threatened their survival and caused a loss of many species and ecosystems. ISV has partnered with a range of New Zealand local organizations that are doing meaningful hands-on projects to conserve and rehabilitate the precious regions that remain. You have the chance to make a difference through volunteering on ISV’s conservation projects which are located in some of New Zealand’s most beautiful regions. Projects focus on habitat restoration, and some involve meaningful interaction with indigenous Maori communities.

Key achievement 2008: Planted almost 30,000 native trees

ISV's Projects

ISV has projects spread across the country. By volunteering with ISV in New Zealand you will interact with the friendly and outgoing locals and contribute to the much needed conservation efforts throughout New Zealand’s many and varied habitats. Projects include:

• Habitat Restoration: Restore breathtaking New Zealand landscapes!
  Get your hands dirty and see the results of your efforts by helping to restore the natural environment. By volunteering in ISV’s habitat restoration projects throughout New Zealand you will help rehabilitate ecosystems which form critical habitat for many of the nation’s rare and endangered species. Alongside your team you will be involved in tree planting, trail building, invasive species removal and also community environmental education.



• Restoration of Island Sanctuaries: Recreate safe havens for endangered species!
  Many of New Zealand islands have suffered the adverse affects of farming and human interaction. ISV has incredible projects where you will help transform a previously farmed island into an authentic natural environment of native forests, wetlands, beaches and open spaces. ISV is helping restore a beautiful and pest free island to its former glory so it can be a sanctuary for rare and endangered native birds, reptiles and insects.



• Government Environmental Assistance: Help the experts conserve the environment!
  On these projects you will be volunteering beside regional, national and government organizations that are responsible for looking after New Zealand’s stunning environment. Learn from experts as you spend your day assisting park rangers and council staff in their valuable work and do your part to enhance the environment. Tasks include managing reserves, constructing walkways, track and hut maintenance, ecological restoration and restoring limestone caves.



• Environmental Education: Educate and inspire others to live sustainably!
  Get involved on a local level and help teach others about conservation and sustainability. The goal of these projects is to facilitate an understanding and appreciation of the natural world and the importance of taking care of it. In addition to tasks like forest restoration, removing invasive weeds, light construction projects and nature trail building you will have the opportunity to pass on your knowledge to local school kids and work with people with disabilities.

Project Locations

Projects are spread across both main islands of New Zealand and are constantly being updated according to the changing needs of our host organizations.

Please note: These are ALL great projects with significant conservation and educational value in phenomenal locations. Please be flexible with your project preferences as project availability is specific to departure date.

More on ISV's Projects

Each project runs for two weeks and is operated in partnership with well-established conservation organizations including, not-for-profits, government and non government organisations (NGOs), private industries, and local grassroots groups. Projects are based in various locations, from island sanctuaries, nature reserves and small towns. Each volunteer team will be supervised and directed by professional staff from the host organization and an ISV project leader. The volunteer team will consist of around 8 - 15 people, depending on the project.

Please Note: Certain projects only operate on specific program dates.

No prior experience or expertise in environmental areas is needed in order to participate. Accommodations vary with projects, ranging from dormitory style accommodations and volunteer houses to backpackers. Meals (3 per day) will be provided during the volunteer project.

ISV’s Two Week Adventure Tour

Participants will travel throughout New Zealand’s North and South Islands, exploring the Southern Alps, glaciers, primary forests, wild rivers, limestone caves, geothermal areas, national parks, and the Nation’s capital city, Wellington. You will have the opportunity to participate on activities such as:

• Black water rafting in glow worm caves
• Exploring the thermal wonders of Rotorua
• Visiting the cultural attractions of Wellington (New Zealand's Capital)
• Hiking on the Franz Josef Glacier
• White water rafting rapids on the Kaituna River
• Zorbing
• Experiencing the true Kiwi night life in Wellington and Queenstown (the adrenaline capital of the world)

Note: See ISV's Tour Itinerary (below) which specifies the Program's Included Activities and those provided in the ISV Optional Activity Package.

Adventure Tour Locations

“I've done and seen things I never thought I'd do or see. We've covered so much in a short amount of time. Absolutely amazing, breath taking, adrenaline packed!”
Carolyn Chan, New York University

Adventure Tour Itinerary: (Queenstown to Waitomo)

Day 1 – Arrive in Queenstown: Depart your Volunteer Project and fly over the Southern Alps to Queenstown. Your tour Orientation will take place after arrival. Then, you’ll have the chance to learn all about Bungy Jumping and perhaps sign up for one of the 3 jumps on offer.  The evening is free for you to explore the adrenaline capital of the world!

Day 2 – Free Day in Queenstown (Shotover Jet Boating): The day starts with a wild, breathtaking jet boat experience through the Shotover Canyons for participants with the ISV Optional Activity Package. Tonight is a good chance to search the local restaurants and cafes for some tasty local cuisine and then sample the truly international nightlife New Zealand’s most vibrant tourist destination offers.

Day 3 – Free Day in Queenstown:Another day to explore the dozens of activities Queenstown has to offer. Travel to stunning Doubtful or Milford Sound for a cruise on the fjords or how about a wine tour or Lord of the Rings horseback tour into "Paradise". Go hiking along one of the beautiful trails surrounding Queenstown, perhaps visit an old gold mining town, and there’s even a chance to go hang-gliding, the options are endless!

Day 4 – Queenstown to Franz Josef: A day not to forget, we travel through the scenic Southern Alps to Franz Josef, one of the great drives of New Zealand. Along the way stopping at the striking lakeside town of Wanaka. We may also visit a kahikatea forest that resembles pre-historic scenery you would expect to see from the dinosaur ages. Make sure you have your cameras handy to capture the diverse landscapes, from snowy mountain peaks to coastal rainforests. Rest up tonight for a dazzling day of glacier hiking tomorrow.

Day 5 – Franz Josef Glacier (Glacier hiking): Today those with the ISV Optional Activity package will experience the ultimate adventure of glacier hiking. Crossing deep ice crevices and exploring through the blue heart of the icefall terrain. The rainforest creeping to the edge of the glacier provides an astounding contrast and phenomenal photo opportunities! Less challenging options may include a forest walk through the valley where you will enjoy a full view of the glacier at the end. Or if you need to get even closer there is always the option of taking a helicopter tour over the glacier.

Day 6 – Franz Josef to Nelson: From the greenest area of New Zealand to the sunniest region of the country in one spectacular drive. We make our way to the top of the South Island with the wild, rugged west coast on one side and the towering Southern Alps on the other side. Photo stops are a must! We visit a Kekeno (New Zealand Fur Seal) colony at Cape Foulwind, and also the famous geology of the Pancake Rocks before arriving into Nelson, the sunniest city in New Zealand.

Day 7 – Free Day in Nelson: Now is the chance for all those with the Optional Activity Package to choose their adventure for the day. Some may choose sea kayaking through the protected, pristine coastline of the Abel Tasman National Park, exploring the golden sand beaches and forest tracks, or others may prefer to venture through native forest trails high into the hills around nelson on a quad bike (ATV). Nelson is also ISV’s preferred location for skydiving; test your nerves to see if you have what it takes to leap from a plane at 12,000 feet!

Day 8 – Nelson to Wellington: This is a travel day with a difference. We board a ferry and travel through the stunning Marlborough Sounds at the tip of the South Island, across the Cook Strait and into the port of New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. Tonight you can explore literally hundreds of cafes and restaurants in the heart of the city to find the perfect cuisine for your evening meal.

Day 9 – Wellington (Te Papa Museum highlights tour): This morning we embark on an inspiring specially guided tour of the highlights of New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa (ISV Included Activity). The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy and explore New Zealand’s finest city culture. Take in a tour of the nation’s Parliament building, stroll down Cuba Street (known for it's great shopping), take in a show at the theater and/or visit the Karori Wildlife Refuge to look for New Zealand's rare and endangered birds. Tonight is an opportunity to sample the local nightlife!

Day 10 – Wellington to Rotorua: We say goodbye to the bustling city life and journey north into the central North Island, as we travel to Rotorua, the geothermal hotspot of New Zealand. Passing beneath the volcanic peaks of the Tongariro National Park and World Heritage Area as we go.

Day 11 – Rotorua (White water rafting): Get ready to raft the highest commercially rafted water fall in the world (6/7 meters high). Fifty minutes spent on the spectacular Kaituna River as you paddle 14 drops including two waterfalls (ISV included activity!). After conquering the rapids, it’s your chance to explore Rotorua. Sit by the lake, do some souvineer shopping or head back to the hostel to relax in the mineral hot pool.

Day 12 – Rotorua (Hells Gate thermal reserve and Maori cultural show and hangi dinner): This is the day where we visit Rotorua’s most active geothermal park, The Hells Gate Thermal Reserve, Mud Baths and Spas (ISV Included Activity). Take in the steaming sights of this thermal wonderland and then sit back and relax in the curative and invigorating properties of the special mud and mineral waters. You’ll even have a chance to try your hand at traditional Maori wood carving and flax weaving. The cultural experience continues into the evening for those with the Optional Activity Package. Tonight you’ll be entertained with a performance by local Maori and enjoy a perfectly cooked hangi. (earth cooked meal)

Day 13 – Rotorua to Waitomo (Kiwi encounter and Zorbing): On the way to Waitomo we will stop in at the Kiwi Encounter, a working nursery and hatchery where Kiwi (New Zealand’s endangered national bird and icon) are raised, you’ll get to see a real live Kiwi up close (ISV Included Activity)! And we can’t miss the Zorb – a real unique activity (ISV Optional Activity Package)! Tumble down the hill inside a giant plastic ball with two of your new best friends! Tonight we enjoy a relaxing evening in Waitomo ready for our last big activity day tomorrow.

Day 14 – Waitomo (Black water rafting): For our final activity day we experience the thrills of Black Water Rafting, a must-do in New Zealand (ISV Included Activity)! Prepare yourself to be mesmerized by this underground glow worm universe. Some participants will choose to upgrade this activity to the more challenging five hour trip as part of the ISV Optional Activity Package. For the remainder of the day, consider horse riding through the rolling Waitomo hillside. Our final night is a celebration of all the achievements, new friends, fun times and adventures gained from this unforgettable ISV New Zealand experience.

Day 15 – Waitomo to Home or Fiji: Today it’s time to say Haere Ra (goodbye) to New Zealand as you depart to return home or onto Fiji (an ISV Optional Excursion) via Auckland. The ISV Adventure Ends!

Accommodations:  All accommodations have been carefully selected for their comfort and ideal locations. Accommodations range from nice tourist class hotels to youth hostels (dormitory style).

Meals:  Most meals are provided by ISV. Meals during times of sightseeing will be the responsibility of participants. ISV also stays in many accommodations with kitchen facilities to allow students to prepare some of their own meals.

Activities: ISV includes a minimum of five activities in the program price to make your experience unforgettable. Activities are subject to change but may include activities such as black water rafting in underground caves, Grade 5 white water rafting, Kiwi Encounter experience, a guided tour through Te Papa National Museum, and an exploration of the thermal wonders of Rotorua (via the Hells Gate Thermal Reserve, Mud Baths and Spas).

Volunteer Project: ISV will send you the Project Overview for your assigned volunteer project along with your ISV Participant Travel Manual, approximately 30 days prior to departure.

Disclaimer: Exact dates, itineraries, accommodations and included activities will be given to participants in the ISV Participant Travel Manual approximately 30 days prior to departure. ISV reserves the right to change the ISV tour itinerary, accommodations and activities without notice. Any and all changes are within the discretion of ISV, Inc.

Optional Activity Package (OAP)