Conservation volunteers make an important contribution to conservation in New Zealand and we'd like to thank all our volunteers from New Zealand and overseas for your help.
Volunteers help with many different conservation tasks such as bird counts, historic building restoration, habitat restoration, hut maintenance, weed control, whale strandings, tree planting, and giving talks. What you do depends partly on your skills.
Our volunteer programme by region lists opportunities for conservation projects with the Department of Conservation. The projects are practical ones and offer you opportunities to learn new skills, meet others, do useful conservation work and enjoy the outdoors.
Being a volunteer is fun. You also get to work as part of a team, share your skills and learn new ones, and experience conservation in action.
The projects all have conservation value. They could not be done without your help.
How to apply
Contact the Conservation Volunteer Co-ordinator at the relevant Department of Conservation office for application details. Some conservancies have their own forms that you will need to obtain and fill out; they will inform you of the process when you make contact.
Our volunteer goals
- Conservation volunteers are contributing to increased gains in the conservation of New Zealand's natural, historic and cultural heritage.
- An increasing number and variety of people are engaged in conservation volunteering.
- Conservation volunteers are increasing their understanding of and commitment to conservation.
- Conservation volunteers are increasing their skills and confidence to carry out conservation work.
- Conservation volunteers find working with DOC a rewarding and highly valued experience.
International volunteers
The Department's Volunteer Programme focuses on providing opportunities for local communities, then other New Zealanders and then overseas visitors.
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