Global Programs
ExpedNZ partners with like-minded education focused organisations from around the globe, including Universities, Colleges (Schools) and Gap-Year organisations.
In collaboration with our partners we develop unique and rewarding New Zealand Experiential Education programs that facilitate positive change.
What do our Global Programs look like?
Our global programs offer engaging experiential education experiences, intercultural exchange and community service modules that explore the real New Zealand (NZ). Outcomes for students on our programs include:
- Enhanced global perspectives
- Deeper cultural understandings
- A profound sense of self-discovery and personal growth.
Our global programs are tailored to meet the needs of each group. Our core program themes are outlined below, let us know your areas of interest and specific learning objectives, these will be woven together to create an engaging, rich and authentic NZ experience.
Core Program Themes
These themes are woven together throughout our programs to encourage the opportunity for cultural & environmental learning on all our adventure activities.
Adventure is Calling
ExpedNZ holds Department of Conservation (DOC) concessions to operate in the 3 local National Parks. Nelson is considered the mecca of adventure with easy access to coastal, mountain, lake and cave environments. The Nelson region offers some of the most spectacular wilderness terrain in the world and provides the perfect adventurous learning platform for our programs. There are few locations in the world that can offer such variety of challenge and adventure against a backdrop of such a breath-taking natural environment.
Adventure Activities
ExpedNZ is an accredited adventure activity provider with nationally recognised and externally audited safety systems. For more information on our safety systems, go to our Safety First page. ExpedNZ is a unique provider for the breadth of adventure activites we can offer groups. These include:
- Kayaking
- Waka Ama (Traditional Māori Canoe)
- Caving
- Rock-Climbing & Abseiling
- Hiking or as we say in NZ - Tramping
- Mountain Biking
Your group might have a particular interest in an activity or let us select the best activity to meet your learning objectives.
Kayaking
Explore our picturesque coastline or paddle one of our alpine lakes - our sea-going vessels make overnight trips possible.
Hiking / Tramping
The best way to truly explore the NZ wilderness - discover ancient forests, waterfalls & an appreciation of simplicity
Caving
An exciting underground experience exploring the cave systems of the 'Marble Mountain' - Takaka Hill
Cultural Immersion
Māori are the tangata whenua (indigenous people of the land) of Aotearoa - New Zealand. Māori have a rich and dynamic culture with a powerful connection to the natural environment. Traditional Māori approaches to conservation, relationships, health (physical and mental health) will be examined and contrasted to modern ways of living. There is much we can all learn from Te Ao Māori (Māori world view).
During an ExpedNZ program your group will have the opportunity to take part in a powhiri (traditional Māori welcome) onto a local Marae (meeting house) and learn about Te Ao Māori. Groups will learn tikanga (protocols) and Māori approaches to family, the environment and hauora (wellbeing).
Cultural Activities
- Take part in facilitated discussions designed to compare and contrast life as a citizen in other parts of the world to that in New Zealand.
- Kaitiakitanga focused activities - explore the concept of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and the relationship Māori have with whenua (land) and the natural world.
- Paddle waka (traditional canoes) whilst exploring sites of cultural significance.
- Participate in a range of cultural workshops including rongoa (traditional Māori medicine), mau rakāu (weaponry), haka (dance) and learn waiata (song).
Whenever possible, we align ExpedNZ programs to our New Zealand cultural programs with local rangatahi (youth) to provide a truly authentic and magical cultural exchange.
Waka Ama
Paddling a traditional-style canoe explore the stunning Abel Tasman Coastline - it requires teamwork & a little effort!
Mau Rākau
Learn the art of traditional Māori stick fighting - an expressive combination of movement & teamwork
Marae Visit
Visiting a local marae (meeting house), you will learn the history of Māori in the area through traditional story telling.
Environmental Practices
Kaitiakitanga means guardianship and protection. It is a way of managing the environment, based on the Māori world view, where people are closely connected to the land and nature. Groups will explore the concept of kaitiakitanga and how humans are part of the natural world and what this means from a conservation perspective.
Participants will be encouraged to explore different environmental challenges and potential solutions to the issues we face both in New Zealand and overseas.
Environmental Activities
Participants will get the opportunity to provide service and contribute to local conservation and environmental restoration initiatives. These could include:
- Checking predator traps along the intensive trapline network in the area whilst learning about how this conservation project links into New Zealand environmental strategies.
- Tree restoration project - Plant native trees and weed new planting sites along the coast of the Abel Tasman National Park whilst learning about Project Janzoon and how your service project links to the bio-diversity and conservation strategies within the park. For more on Project Janszoon - www.janszoon.org/
- Wetlands conservation project - Take part in restoration of this natural habitat whilst learning from local conservation groups about the ecological, cultural and historical significance of the local wetlands.
Predator Trapping
Traplines are an integral part of biodiversity management as NZ aims to be predator free - be part of the effort.
Restoration Project
Have the opportunity to give back by participating in a community conservation project.
Environmental Awareness
Learn about the significance of our environment from ecological, cultural & historical points of view.
Program Cohesion
Within Te Ao Māori looking after the environment - kaitiakitanga - cannot be separated from culture or people. A whakatauki (Māori proverb) that demonstates this well is:
Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua | Care for the land, care for the people, go forward
ExpedNZ global programs integrate adventure, cultural immersion and environmental themes seamlessly. We ask our global partners to identify the learning objectives that align best to your curriculum and we will tailor the program to elevate these elements within our core program themes.
Learn more about our Program Design process.