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""You see that pale, blue dot? That's us. Everything that has ever happened in all of human history has happened on that pixel. All the triumphs and all the tragedies, all the wars all the famines, all the major advances... it's our only home. And that is what is at stake, our ability to live on planet Earth, to have a future as a civilization. I believe this is a moral issue, it is your time to cease this issue, it is our time to rise again to secure our future." - Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth.
Our planet is fragile, and over time we have taken it for granted. We are standing on the edge of a precipice: a point at which we have to make a decision to change course before it is too late. Climate change, conservation, resource depletion: we are stripping our planet bare and we need to band together to make a change. Every nation and every individual needs to be involved in creating a global shift of consciousness and a move towards sustainability. Through education and action we can heal the earth and help make it a better place for future generations. After all, it is our only home.
It begins with you.
"What we take for granted might not be here for our children." - Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth
Program Location
New Zealand's capital city, Wellington, is perched on the shores of a deep natural harbour surrounded by wooded hills. The Wellington region encompasses diverse landforms, indigenous plants and wildlife, and an extensive and varied coastline. Wellington is a centre for threatened species management and has a number of captive breeding facilities working with some of our most rare bird, reptile, and insect species.
Program Staff
Rachel Dickinson: Rachel (Ray to her friends) is the Heal the Earth Program Coordinator. Ray first became involved in volunteering on an expedition to India whilst at school. After this she trained to be a game ranger in South Africa and eventually ended up on the New Zealand Nature Program as a volunteer. The impact of this program led to her moving to New Zealand where she now works as a team leader alongside Toby. Working on the Heal the Earth program offers Ray the opportunity to share her passion for the environment as well as raising awareness as part of a global effort to make our world a better place.
Toby Malcolm: Toby is the Team Leader of the New Zealand Nature Program. His education includes a Bachelor of Resource Management (ecology major) from Lincoln University (N.Z.). He has a passion for nature conservation and environmental action, and for this reason has previously volunteered much of his own time from a young age. He has run environmental clubs, has been a representative with the Greenpeace NZ 'Green Team' and has led campaigns on issues such as whaling and battery hen farming.
Volunteers will work both in the Wellington office and out in the field alongside our environmental team leaders Toby Malcolm and Rachel Dickinson. The work you undertake will help to give you an insight into the issues that not only affect the native New Zealand environment, but the whole world. You will educate, debate and take action by expressing your views. Work is tailored to the individual and may involve article writing, public lectures, discussions, presentations, research and involvement in local environmental groups. This is an opportunity to develop your own ideas and to educate and raise awareness of environmental issues as well as seeing efforts within the local community.
As well as this work in the office, you will spend several days a week working alongside volunteers within the New Zealand Nature Program (www.volunteer.org.nz/newzealand/). On these days you will have the opportunity to aid local organizations in their work: getting first hand, on-the-ground experience in New Zealand's own conservation and environmental restoration efforts.
Examples of projects you may expect to work on:
- Replanting native forests
- Educational visits to Kapiti island - a key offshore sanctuary for New Zealand wildlife
- Restoring degraded dune ecosystems
- Removing pest plants from several native ecosystems (e.g. dunes, forests)
- Stream Monitoring
- Beach Cleanups
About New Zealand
Full country name: New Zealand
Area: 268,680 sq km
Population: 4 million
Capital city: Wellington (pop 367,600)
People: European (Paheka) 69.8%, Maori 7.9%, Asian 5.7%, Pacific islander 4.4%, other 0.5%, mixed 7.8%, unspecified 3.8%
Languages: English and Maori
Religion: Predominantly Christian (81%)
Government: Independent member of the British Commonwealth
Major industries: Food processing, wood and paper products, wool, textiles, dairy products, iron and steel, machinery, tourism, transportation equipment, banking and insurance, mining
Major trading partners: Australia, Japan, UK, China and the USA
© Copyright 2008 Lonely Planet Publications. All rights reserved. Used with permission. www.lonelyplanet.com
Program Requirements
As a volunteer on the Heal The Earth Project you must:
- be 18 years old or over
- be from NZ, Australia, North or South America, UK, Europe, Japan, China, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, or South Africa. (Please note: if you're not from one of those countries, please submit the application form after you've confirmed you can obtain a NZ entry visa independently and mention this on the application form)
- have no major health problems
- be moderately fit (e.g. can hike for several hours over uneven/steep ground)
- be proficient in English
- possess initiative and an enthusiasm for the environment
- be willing to work, rain or shine
The Application Process
Your application process is free and seamless, and if you are successful we will provide you with a choice of application fee payment options that include a secure online service. We also are one of the few organisations that allow you to transfer your application fee to another program at no extra cost.
Communication & Support:
Throughout the process, we are committed to working with you to answer any of your questions or concerns. During your placement we are also available as a form of support to you as a volunteer and will email you while in country to discuss how the program is going.
Program Schedule
Placements on this program start on the 1st and 15th of each month.
You can join the program for as little as two weeks, up to three months.
The program does not run on Public Holidays and therefore volunteers are welcome to have free time to do sightseeing and other activities of their choice.
All accommodation and meals will be provided for on the program. Volunteers will live in co-operative housing with the New Zealand Nature Program volunteers: sharing cooking and cleaning duties.
Some projects are seasonal or weather dependent. Schedules may also change due to the damands of our project partners. You can contact the volunteer coordinator for further information on projects you are likely to participate in during the time you intend to volunteer.
Apply Now
Program Cost
A US$350 application fee (fully transferable) will secure your place on the program, with your program fee due for payment eight weeks before you begin your placement. You only pay your application fee once and then you can access any of GVN's volunteer programs over the next 5 years.
Your application fee includes the following benefits:
- Personal Staff Support
- Your Program Guide
- Your Fundraising Guide and Software
- Access to Your Own Online Journal
- Online Video - Preparing For Your Trip
- Opportunities for Discounts on Airfares
Once your application fee is paid the remainder of the cost for your time in the program is:
- Cost for 2 weeks - US $797
- Cost for 1 month - US $1397
- Cost for 6 weeks - US $1997
- Cost for 2 months - US $2597
- Cost for 10 weeks - US $3197
- Cost for 3 months - US $3797
The in-country fee covers placement arrangement, accommodation, food, project costs, supervision, an airport pickup, and all transportation to and from the field projects.
The other costs you will need to meet are return travel to Wellington, New Zealand, travel insurance and all applicable departure taxes (US$15.00), and Visa (if required).
Apply NowWe have compiled a list of frequently asked questions which we receive at the GVN inbox. This is a great place to start if you have questions about Global Volunteer Network and our placement process. This information should answer the majority of questions you may have.
Tell me more about New Zealand?
What is the climate like in New Zealand
What kind of volunteer work is available?
What is the schedule of a typical day?
What kind of orientation will I receive when I arrive at GVN headquarters?
Tell me more about the accommodation?
When do I need to arrive in New Zealand?
What immunisations/vaccines will I need?
Are we able to do any sightseeing while volunteering?
Are there more expenses once I arrive?
How much do things in New Zealand typically cost?
How many volunteers are there on site at the same time?
Can I bring my family, including children, to this program with me?
How does GVN choose volunteers for this program?
Who organises my visa for my volunteer placement?
Question not covered here?
Please check the generic FAQ, and if still unanswered, please ask us a question here. (We aim to answer all email within 48 hours).
Apply Now
Don't just take our word for it, hear what previous volunteers have to say out the program.
