I.C.E. Internships
Environmental Conservation
About Wellington
In our survey of New Zealand cities to house our urban-based internships, Wellington stood out above the rest. As the country's capital city, Wellington is a sea-side gem with a vibrant population energized by numerous universities and travelers. The city has a population approaching 180,824, while the region boasts 450,765. The earliest name for Wellington from Maori legend is Te Upoko o te Ika a Maui, which means the head of Maui's fish. Caught and pulled to the surface by Polynesian navigator Maui, the fish became New Zealand's North Island.
Bound by its magnificent harbour, with wooden Victorian buildings terraced up steep hills, New Zealand's capital boasts spectacular views, challenging walks, a thriving cafe and entertainment scene, and serious dedication to the arts make Wellington an enormously enjoyable place in which to spend a few days.
Wellington boasts an impressive array of museums ranging from maritime exhibits to natural history to indiginous and modern art. And while the countryside may not be known for its cuisine, Wellington celebrates some of the best of Asian and middle-eastern cuisine in the Pacific.
It will not be difficult to make friends in Wellington as university students and travelers pour into the streets, pubs and discotecs after nightfall on a nightly basis.
KARORI Wildlife Sanctuary
Help restore the giants of the forest and return the native bird song to Wellington! In this internship you will assist in leaving a lasting natural treasure for generations to come. As in almost all parts of the world, Wellington's original forest ecosystem has been dramatically altered by a number of catastrophic occurrences, including forest fires, farming, and the introduction of alien predators. This project is an ambitious conservation effort to affect positive change on the environment. To this end, volunteer restoration teams have already planted thousands of trees. In addition, the on-going construction of trails--the Kiwi, Restoration, and Wilderness Trails--provides exceptional opportunities for current and future visitors to experience an ecosystem almost lost.
Historical records show that in pre-European times, the lowland forests of this area probably contained up to fifty species of native birds. Since that time, thirty-eight of these species have either become extinct or are no longer present in the area. The challenge of the Sanctuary is to re-establish the forest chorus through native bird release programs, including that of the much-loved national icon, the kiwi. Help these committed conservationists make this Sanctuary a world-class visitor facility. With involvement in trail construction, species monitoring, pest control, weed management, and public education, you will be part of a conservation project truly pushing the boundaries of conservation science.
Ranch Station
Surrounded by New Zealand's magnificent mountain scenery, this internship brings you to a ranch, or high country station, nestled in the grandeur of the Southern Alps. At 19,000 acres in size, the property has been farmed by four generations of the same family. Here you will live the life of a ranch hand, assisting with all the tasks involved in running this large sheep and beef station. In spring there is the shearing of the sheep to prepare them for the lambing season to follow. The shearing is undertaken by a migrant team of shearers who, until only recently, shore the sheep with blades; now shearing is done by machine.
In the fall, the big muster takes place to bring all the stock down to lower ground to avoid the heavy snowfalls. During the remainder of the year there are general maintenance activities that need attention: building fences, stock maintenance, and the like. There are horses to ride, or, if you prefer the modern transportation option, trail bikes to get around to perform the farm duties. For winter recreation, you are adjacent to a major ski field, and there are many magnificent tracks for hiking. Salmon fishing is possible from October through to February on a river at your doorstep. In the summer months, the station has its own tennis court and swimming pool. There is also an international golf course close by.
This internship is for those wanting a physical challenge and an opportunity to experience the solitude of outback life in some of the most beautiful country in New Zealand. And it remains only a little over two hours away from one of the country's major cities, so there is the opportunity to experience both city life and country life at its best.
National Park Apprenticeship
The internship will be based in Tuatapere, Southland, with time spent at the office in Tuatapere and on the Hump Ridge Track. Tuatepere lies sits on the southern-most coastrline of the South Island. Here, the aurora borealis is known as the "Southern Lights." Tuatepere serves both tourists and the local farming community. The information center /booking office is where the office work will be based. On the track, the volunteer will join the lodge manager or assist guides on the track in between lodges.
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a Park Ranger? We have an internship position that will surely prepare you for such a career choice. On the windswept coast of the South Island, New Zealand's newest backcountry trek is taking shape. For the first time in the country's history, the government has allowed a private concessionaire to create a recreational track in Fjordlands National Park. The trek passes through some of the greatest scenery on the South Island. The hike begins at sea level, continuing eight miles along the rocky coastline, accessible only during high tide, and rises to glacier-carved valleys. The concessionaire is using a helicopter to fly in building materials to construct dormitory-style housing for visitors hiking the four-day trek.
The position features work between the backcountry and the office. In the outback, interns will live in private quarters adjacent to the main bunkhouse on mile thirteen of the trek. You will help trampers orient themselves to the area and make sure they obey the Park rules. Reading materials will help educate you on the Park's and New Zealand's natural history. This information will then be shared with visitors through a variety of means.. Additional duties in the backcountry include trail maintenance, upkeep on the facilities, feral animal eradication, and native bird counts.
Assist the lodge managers in following duties:
- Ensure that the hut and associated facilities are maintained to a high standard.
- Daily maintenance at huts including cleaning, re stocking of fuel and supplies, making beds, washing linen etc.
- Maintenance of hut facilities such as fuel, water, solar system, gas, lighting, and sewage.
- Undertake track maintenance work along the Hump Ridge Track.
- Assist guides of guided walk parties in general duties
- Be available to act as first response to any emergency as and when required, (eg: fire, first aid, search and rescue, visitor safety and civil defence) following procedures as set out in the Track Operations Plan.
- Identify, respond, and rectify / report, (to the Senior Lodge Manger or General Manager in their absence) any safety issues should they arise, in accordance with the Track’s Health and Safety Policy.
- Communicate the conservation ethic, environmental requirements, and promote and represent the Track to track users / members of the public. All media enquiries must be directed to the Senior Lodge Manager (or the General Manager in their absence)
- Have regard to Maori values associated with the land traversed by the track and communicate these to users as appropriate.
Office Assistance:
Assist with general office duties: answer phone calls, talking to customers, refilling brochures, tidying and cleaning of information centre, ... Assist with benchmarking process of Green Globe, Qualmark, Sustainable Tourist; Assist with general operations of the Hump Ridge Track. Assist sales and marketing manager with following duties: Online shop website maintenance; Sales and marketing ideas.