NOLS New Zealand
Video and Photos
About
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.
Popular Programs

Immerse yourself in the natural history and culture of New Zealand’s South Island for a semester that will be challenging and transformative. As you travel the rugged alpine ranges and paddle the stunning coastline, you’ll gain a sense of the island’s unique history and wildlife.