International Cultural Youth Exchange: New Zealand

PO Box 358 Tauranga Phone: +64-7-5785074
Fax: +64-7-5785034 icye.nz@xtra.co.nz

ICYE New Zealand Programme

Duration

Typically the ICYE programme in Aotearoa*/New Zealand runs from August to August.
(* Aotearoa is the Mãori name for 'New Zealand', and is commonly translated as 'The land of the long white cloud'.)

The Orientation and Language camp

The Orientation and Language camp usually lasts for a week. It usually takes place in Northland (The area north of Auckland)
This is where the exchangees are introduced to the Kiwi lifestyle, farm life, traditions, culture, and of course, New Zealand English!
Here you will meet the people who will be sharing the exchange year with you, and the ICYE team who are here to help you!

Workplacements

Their are four main types of Workprojects:

Farms
Every Exchangee will at least spend 5 months on a Farm. This may be Dairy cows, Horse, Sheep, Deer, or flower farms. The Exchangee will live-in with the family on the farm, and generally have his/her own room. A farming lifestyle may be a completely new experience to the exchangee. Daily activities may include: feeding and moving animals milking cows, wearing gumboots (rubber boots) and old clothing, driving a tractor or a motorbike and other outdoor activities.

Health Camps
Throughout New Zealand, these camps are for children who need special medical attention, away from their own family. They may be from underprivileged homes, abused, or suffer dietary or behavioural problems. Exchangees will share rostered duties with other staff, and live in staff accommodation.

Social Work
(Day work only). This may be caring for Intellectually Handicapped People, Elderly, Disabled People, or with Children (Kindergarten or Day-care Centres).

Horticulture or Floriculture
This means working in gardening, nurseries, orchards and flowers.

NOTE: We do look at other work placements constantly and in special circumstances.

Paid work is impossible while on the ICYE programme, however all are welcome to try earning extra pocketmoney by baby-sitting, language tuition, lawn mowing, or other jobs beyond the ICYE voluntary job.

Exchangees are not allowed to attend University or Polytech courses, although Exchangees may be able to attend hobby classes, at their own cost, at a nearby High School or Community College.

For more information, see 'Work and Home'

Travel 'month'

The travel 'month' coincides with the best part of the New Zealand summer, and the peak holiday season.
The travel 'month' usually starts just after Christmas, and finishes at the end of January, when all the Exchangees meet again for the 'midyear' conference.

Popular activities during the travel month include: A bus tour of the South Island, The thermal areas of Taupo and Rotorua, visiting Wellington: New Zealand's cultural and political capital, Bungy Jumping, White water rafting, parachuting… generally enjoying 'the great outdoors!'
Of course, all travel and activities are at the Exchangees expense!
Please note: Public transport in New Zealand may be more expensive than you expect!

The 'midyear' conference

This takes place at the end of January, usually in Auckland or Northland.
This is where the Exchangees evaluate the first half of their year, share stories, experiences and photographs, and set goals for the rest of their time in New Zealand.

The final conference

This is where you will evaluate your ICYE year, and farewell many of your friends.
Quite often, you will meet exchangees where are about to leave on their exchange years.

Other activities

Throughout the year, Exchangees or Coworkers will organise get togethers and visits. In the past, Exchangees have participated in white water rafting, sea kayaking and other adventure weekends, as well as spending long weekends in different places.
This is a great way to see and do many things.
Of course, these optional activities are at the Exchangees expense.

Pocket money

Your host family or workproject will issue you with pocket money each month.
If the family cannot issue the pocket money, then ICYE N.Z. will.
Individual bank accounts will be opened as soon as possible on arrival in New Zealand at the first conference.

Visa:

Before coming to New Zealand all exchangees must have a 12 month multiple entry work visa.
Please ensure that applications are sent to your nearest New Zealand Embassy by the end of April (or October if coming in January).

REQUEST THE VISA BE MADE FOR 1 YEAR FROM DATE OF TRAVEL TO NEW ZEALAND.

It is a good idea to join a Youth Hostel or Student Association internationally before you come to New Zealand.
If not, we will join you here to make travel costs less expensive for you while in New Zealand.

Inoculations:

No inoculations are compulsory to come to New Zealand, but it is advisable to get a Tetanus injection.

What to bring:

Packing clothes for one year takes some thought.
We recommend you bring:- a set of good clothes, T-Shirts, Rucksack, warm jacket, swimsuit, warm jersey/sweater, solid shoes, jeans, sandals, sleeping bag (Essential for conferences, holiday and travel.), an alarm clock can be very useful.

'National profile'

The National Profile of ICYE-NZ contains more information about the New Zealand programme.
This booklet can be obtained from the ICYE office in your country.
Alternatively, you can download the latest ICYE-NZ National Profile in Word format (229 kb).