Volunteer in New Zealand
A supported gap year volunteer programme in New Zealand for 18 to 30 year olds, with placements in boarding schools and outdoor camps across the country.
What Kind of Placement Suits You?
Choose a New Zealand volunteer placement that matches your interests and skills.
Support staff across school and boarding house life, helping children feel settled, supported and cared for day to day. A rewarding gap year volunteer experience at the heart of a New Zealand school community.
Outdoor Camps
Help deliver sports, activities and outdoor education as part of fun, active camp programmes with children and young people. A brilliant choice if you want a gap year that keeps you active, outdoors and making a difference every day.
Why Volunteer in New Zealand?
Volunteering in New Zealand offers a gap year experience that combines meaningful placements with children and young people, a famously welcoming culture, and some of the most dramatic and breathtaking scenery in the world.
Live and volunteer surrounded by rugged mountain ranges, glaciers, winding coastal roads and crystal clear lakes. From the dramatic landscapes of the South Island to the lush green hills of the North, New Zealand’s scenery will stop you in your tracks at every turn.
Work within established schools and outdoor camps with clear roles, responsibilities and supportive routines that help you settle in quickly and get the most out of your gap year volunteer programme.
Support school staff and camp leaders through placements that bring real day to day value to the children, young people and communities you are part of.
Carefully vetted placements, clear guidance, and ongoing support available throughout your time volunteering in New Zealand. For you and your family, that reassurance matters.
A structured, supportive gap year volunteer programme that builds confidence, independence and practical skills while you experience life in one of the most beautiful countries on earth
What Your Gap Year in New Zealand Looks Like
A gap year volunteer programme in New Zealand combines structured placements with everyday independence, set against mountains, glaciers, rugged coastlines and landscapes unlike anywhere else in the world.
Day-to-Day Life
Settle into a routine at a school or outdoor camp, with time to explore beaches, mountains, lakes and New Zealand’s dramatic scenery on your days off.
Skills and Confidence
Gain practical experience, responsibility and skills that can support your future study, career or further travel.
Independence and Social Life
Live away from home, manage your own time, and build friendships with other volunteers and the people you meet in your host community.
Support Throughout Your Placement
You are never on your own, with guidance before you leave and ongoing support throughout your time volunteering in New Zealand.
Meet Your New Zealand Programme Manager
Your safety and wellbeing during your gap year is our priority.
Verity Brookes-Baker
Programme Manager New Zealand
Verity has spent 14 years working in youth development and has done her own gap years across Europe, Australia and Asia, so she knows exactly what volunteers are going through. She prepares you for your placement, works closely with host organisations, and is there to support you every step of the way.
“New Zealand is unlike anywhere else on earth. The landscapes are extraordinary, the communities are genuinely welcoming, and there is a quality of life there that stops volunteers in their tracks. Most come back already thinking about how to return.”
New Zealand Volunteer Reviews
Rated by people who've been there and done it.
Having a good time overseas!
Im having a good time! spending time here in New Zealand is just amazing I’m having lots of fun doing activities. Lots of hikes and camping around the North Island. My placement is quite cool we are having really nice groups over here which makes work even better We are also doing a lot of stuff around camp like hunting or sports which is really cool. Some small confrontations here and there. But otherwise a really good time overall.
Most beautiful country
I went 10 months to new zeland in Totara springs and it was the best time of my life, I have never seen such a beautiful country and awesome people, it was 1 in a life time experience and I am very glad I went there with new adventures. Is something u would recommend to any one out there.
Climbing Mount Taranaki
My year in New Zealand has been great. I worked 9 months as an Intern at the YMCA Kaitoke Outdoors Education Camp. I met so many cool people, experienced New Zealand and its culture, got better in English and made friends for life.
Even though I’ve liked almost every single second there were struggles and some issuers. This is why I called it climbing Mount Taranaki. Cause climbing is not just fun and great views. But after all the pain, walking and exhaustion there gonna be a great view and a huge feeling of proudness afterwards. And this is how I feel about my year.
