Background: Indigenous Trails' involvement in this sector stretches back to 2005, when approached to provide a more diverse and exciting programme curriculum for an International Voluntary organisation based in 38 countries around the world. By implementing imaginative and innovative ideas to the benefit of this Global Voluntary organisation, Indigenous Trails was able to introduce long standing associate partners and networks, able to assist in the delivery of a programme that served to benefit the Volunteers and enhance a Voluntary programme and destination that was in jeopardy of being dissolved.

Indigenous Trails offers its experience, competence,  and innovation to Voluntary organisations the world over looking to include Cultural, Environmental and Social content in their curriculums for their programme modules. These Voluntary programmes range from 3 months up to a year working in diverse projects around New Zealand providing the exchangees with the chance of improving their understanding of the English language and of course, the New Zealand culture. The Volunteer projects are designed to encourage exchangees to involve themselves in the planning and management of various activities and components within their assigned projects, allowing them to take on responsibilities in hope of further enhancement to their own skill sets. Indigenous Trails further encourages the importance to all exchangees about active participation in the life of their host families, placements and local communities.

Indigenous Trails works with different organisations and entities throughout New Zealand and through its nationwide network can offer a mixture of different types of projects requiring little or no experience at all. Through past involvement within the Voluntary sector, we have recognised that exchangees are better served when taken out of their ‘comfort zone’. This enables both exchangee and placement to acquire a better understanding of each others needs, thus encourages ‘cross-cultural’ relationships beneficial to both parties.

Indigenous Trails promotes and works with Maori Land Trusts through some of its Voluntary Projects, where exchangees are mutually responsible in assisting with administrational management of these entities affairs, research, risk management issues, restoration and environmental work. We also provide programmes where exchangees participate in assisting Maori landowners through management of native forest & plant-life, walking tracks and general maintenance in order to create tangible business opportunity within the tourism industry for the landowners and their stakeholders.

Description: During your time in New Zealand you will participate in three conference camps: Orientation Camp, Mid-Year Camp, and Final Evaluation Camp. These will be held in different locations around New Zealand.

Orientation Camp: All exhangees All exchangees will be met on arrival at Auckland International airport by your Indigenous Trails representative for transfer to your accommodation and the start of the Orientation Camp. Indigenous Trails believes that any initial introduction to New Zealand should be made with the Indigenous people of Aotearoa – the Maori, hence why one of the primary highlights to this 5 - day camp will be done on a ‘Marae’ - Maori Meeting house, where you will be introduced to formal protocols of ‘Maori Tikanga’ - traditions . This will serve as your accommodation for the night, and after compulsory rituals, further activities will include the traditional ‘Wero – Challenge’ to then be entertained in song and dance. You will be treated to a traditional in ground  ‘Hangi Dinner’ and more interaction with your hosts before the conclusion of this days events. The remaining days of your Orientation Camp will be spent in another location of New Zealand where you will be required to complete necessary criteria tasks that will prepare you for your term in New Zealand. Further activities and excursions are included during this time, and on completion of the Orientation Camp all exchangees will then disperse to different parts of the country to start their Voluntary service. Accommodation will be either with a host family or in a shared situation within your project.

Mid-Year Camp: 6 month & 12 month exchangees Exchangees will participate in this compulsory Mid-Year Camp situated in one of New Zealand’s premier destinations the ‘Bay of Islands’. This 4 – day Camp allows exchangees the chance to meet with fellow volunteer colleagues and your national hosting committee from Indigenous Trails to evaluate your first term in New Zealand and also share experiences of the first 6 months. Criteria tasks form part of this Camp which also includes fun activities before transfer to start the second half of your placement term.

                                                

Final Evaluation Camp: 6 month & 12 month exchangees Your time in New Zealand is about to come to an end as you attend the Final Evaluation Camp. A chance to reflect on your achievements of your stay here and to acknowledge  these with a broad sense of satisfaction. Apart from final criteria tasks and activities, you will together with other volunteers, start to prepare for your return home. This Camp is designed to assist in your ‘home coming’ and to counter things that may have changed since your time away. A ‘Special Awards Dinner’ is arranged by Indigenous Trails, where all exchangees receive a certificate in recognition of their feats and acheivements for their term of Voluntary service.