Volunteering in New Zealand

Volunteering in New Zealand

 

Volunteering in New Zealand is as important for the culture of the people as it is for the livelihood of the countless ongoing jobs and projects around the country throughout the year.

What do volunteers do?

Volunteering can mean taking on just about any job. You could be planting or weeding, researching, checking traps or laying them, track maintenance, bird monitoring, or even less on-the-ground roles such as catering for other volunteering, helping with fundraising or even management. If you have specific skills you can bring to a project, don’t be surprised if you end up using them!

Here at Habitat Tours, volunteering is a hugely important part of who we are. We regularly get involved with weeding, tree plants and bird monitoring, and we also make a small donation from each guest we take on a Tawharanui tour. Another of our regular guides gives his time by being a part-time guide on Tiritiri Matangi.

The benefits of being a volunteer

As well as the simple ‘feed-good’ factor of doing something fantastic for others and for the environment, there are plenty of other reasons to get out there and do some volunteering.

You’ll likely spend a lot of time outdoors, which means plenty of extra exercise and time to enjoy the beautiful New Zealand wilderness.

You’ll meet a great group of people, have fun while doing it, and learn a thing or two while you’re at it.


How can you volunteer?

There are countless ways to become a volunteer.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) is always looking for new volunteers, and there are plenty of projects to choose from to get involved in. The Tawharanui Open Sanctuary Society Inc (TOSSI) is always happy to have extra help, and Ark in the Park (the group for work in the Waitakere Ranges) is yet another great way to get involved. 

Volunteers planting trees at Tawharanui