A group of students stand together wearing mountaineering gear and holding a NOLS flag. In the background is a blue sky and snowy peaks
Camera Shannon Wing

Welcome to New Zealand

Kia ora koutou, friends, and welcome to NOLS New Zealand! Join us in exploring the South Island’s rainforests, mountains, alpine grasslands and coastal bays. On campus, you’ll meet our eclectic group of local instructors and in-town staff—and perhaps the cows our transport manager runs on the property. In the field, you’ll learn one or more technical skills, including backpacking, mountaineering, keelboat sailing, whitewater canoeing, or sea kayaking. Sail a keelboat in the Marlborough Sounds off the upper South Island or paddle a sea kayak along rocky coves and sandy beaches. Backpack across lush river valleys, beech forests, and craggy peaks while listening for the call of the kea, a mountain parrot found only in New Zealand. During your travels, you might also have the privilege of meeting members of a local Maori community and learning about their way of life, past and present. Due to the island’s ever-changing weather, don’t be surprised to encounter four seasons in a single day! You’ll learn to embrace uncertainty as you adjust to the unpredictability of this beautiful and remote landscape. And you’ll carry the easygoing and welcoming atmosphere of our campus into the mountains, valleys, and coasts of New Zealand—and beyond.

Courses in New Zealand

About New Zealand

Information about this location

Address
4 Serpentine River Road Aniseed Valley RD1
Richmond 7081
New Zealand
Students pause while mountaineering at to watch the sunrise.

Learn more about NOLS courses in New Zealand

Find adventure and perspective. Develop lifelong leadership skills as you dive into our time-tested curriculum. Build courage and competence under the guidance of the best instructors in the industry. 

A NOLS course is an immersive expedition where you will spend time exploring remote, wild places with a tight-knit community of students and instructors.

No experience is required, but by the end you’ll have the skills and experiences to be a leader.  

Explore Courses Here

Explore the wonders of NOLS New Zealand

Read about New Zealand

PAY IT FORWARD: HOW MY NOLS SEMESTER HELPED ME LEAD MY OWN BACKCOUNTRY TRIPS

POSTED BY: CAROLYN HIGHLAND ON 6/27/18 10:00 AM

November 21, 2012 was one of my favorite days on this planet. Up until this point, the idea of identifying a favorite day had seemed impossible, like choosing your favorite drop of water in a rushing river. But this was a day that made you realize if you couldn’t identify days that made the shortlist, you hadn’t yet experienced the type of day worthy of it.

 Read More on the NOLS blog

None

Start your journey at NOLS New Zealand today

 

If you have questions about financial aid / scholarships, contact us here:

NOLS
800-710-6657

info@nols.edu

 

Credit: Nick Garrett

Call Us!