As one of the cleanest and most environmentally friendly countries in the world, New Zealand is home to a stunning array of beaches, waterways and islands. Local organizations and charities have expended great efforts in maintaining the cleanliness and biodiversity of these ecosystems, but limited resources have necessitated a greater number of volunteer helpers. During this trip, volunteer travelers will spend the majority of their time outdoors, partaking in activities such as beach clean-ups, water quality testing, habitat restoration for marine wildlife and invasive species removal. As one of the primary focuses of this project centers on the restoration of important Māori land, travelers may also get the opportunity to volunteer with members from a local iwi (Māori community), gaining valuable cultural insights while learning about New Zealand's history. The other side of this project concentrates on environmental education, offering volunteers an opportunity to help run sustainable events and workshops with schools and members of the public while collecting vital data needed to engender meaningful change within global environmental policies. This minimum 2-week and maximum 12-week experience starts at $935 per person for 2 weeks and goes up to $5,275 per person for 12 weeks. Accommodation, breakfast and lunch from Monday to Friday, airport pick-up and 24/7 in-country support are all included.
IVHQ is a volunteer travel company with 338 projects in 50 countries, rated #1 Volunteer Travel Company by Go Overseas 7 years in a row. It is a cost-effective option with some programs as low as $20 per day with accommodation and meals included. They are a Certified B Corporation, 100% carbon neutral and every project aligns with a UN Sustainable Development Goal.