About the New Zealand Program

The Hikoi Poutini: An Experiential Learning Journey in New Zealand invites adult learners to engage deeply with Aotearoa New Zealand through sustained immersion in place, people, and story. Trace both Māori and European pathways across the Southern Alps to the West Coast, and engage in the cultural, ecological, and historical narratives that continue to shape this region. Travel through mountains, river systems, rainforests, coastlines, and marae, learning directly from local guides, mana whenua, conservation practitioners, and community leaders—people with deep, ongoing relationships to place.

Program Details

  • Registration Deadline: November 15, 2026
  • Duration: 9 days (Spring 2027)
  • Start Date: March 13, 2027
  • End Date: March 21, 2027
  • Group Capacity: 20, including guests
  • Land Package: $4900 USD (double occupancy rate), $5450 (single occupancy rate) inclusive of a $500 confirmation deposit due upon registration.
  • Optional Auckland Excursion: $1100

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About the Destination

New Regent Street mall in Christchurch

Why Ōtautahi Christchurch?

When you look outside your window in Ōtautahi Christchurch, you know exploration awaits you—hiking, fishing, kayaking, or swimming—that’s just a typical day here. Enjoy the adventurous, yet relaxed, lifestyle that Ōtautahi has to offer. Ski slopes, mountains, native bush, rivers, lakes, hot springs, and beaches are all within 1.5 hours of Ōtautahi, making this an ideal place to start your New Zealand adventure.

Learn More About Christchurch

The Student Experience

A picture I took in the airplane, as we came close to touching down in Texas. There is a bright strip of orange where the dark sky meets the land.
Tess Enemark,

The End

I am no longer in New Zealand! In this blog, I offer some final reflections and share what it has been like readjusting to life in the U.S.

Re-Entry
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Full Itinerary

Inclusions

  • Daily breakfast
  • Group lunches or dinners included on select days
  • Nightly Hotel and Marae accommodations
  • CISI Insurance

Academics

Lectures and delivery of academic content will typically take place in the morning with excursions in the afternoons. There will be no homework, but IES Abroad will provide preparation and reading materials before departure.

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Arrival and Orientation
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Orientation to Place and Learning Frameworks
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Landscapes as Knowledge Systems
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Interconnected Ecological and Cultural Systems
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Human–Environment Interaction and Regenerative Practice
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Environmental Change, Interdependence, and Responsibility
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Relational Knowledge, Tikanga, and Belonging
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Integration, Reflection, and Future Application
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Optional Auckland Trip

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Onwards Hikoi Poutini: An Experiential Learning Journey program, participants will be able to:

Global Interdependence and Cultural Understanding
Explain key historical and contemporary relationships between Māori and Pākehā communities on Te Tai Poutini, including how these relationships inform present-day social and environmental stewardship.
Place-Based Experiential Learning
Articulate how physical landscapes (mountain ranges, rivers, forests, coastlines) influence cultural narratives, identities, and long-term environmental management in Aotearoa, supported by direct experience and guided observation.
Intercultural Communication and Relationship Building
Demonstrate respectful engagement with local communities and mana whenua through participation in tikanga-guided activities, structured dialogue, and service-based learning.
Ethical and Sustainable Practice
Evaluate principles of regenerative tourism and sustainable environmental practice as observed in local conservation and community-led initiatives.
Integrative Reflection and Synthesis
Engage in integrative reflection and guided discussion that synthesizes field experiences, shared readings, and group dialogue to articulate personal insights into global citizenship and relational learning.

Pedagogical Approach

Outside of guest lectures, academic content is embedded throughout the daily field experience rather than delivered through traditional lectures. Dr. Leona Harris will provide the academic framework and will coordinate the learning journey alongside local Kiwi storytellers and educators. Their Māori and European histories, interpretations, and perspectives form the core content of the course, which is in direct relationship to the environments you will be exploring through daily readings and curated discussions. Dr. Harris will create the time and space for you to pause, reflect, and make sense of what you are encountering, which will then be shared in a workshop setting.

Optional Auckland Excursion

Post-Program Option: Discover the North Island with an exceptional 4-day/3-night post-program Auckland option for $1,100 from March 21-24, 2027.

Activity, Weather & Attire

Activity Level: 🚶🚶🚶 out of 🚶🚶🚶 (3/3)

Walking up to three miles at a time at a normal public walking pace over varied terrain. Standing at least three hours daily; climbing stairs (at times without handrails), getting on/off buses, carrying own luggage. Elevations up to 3,100 feet. If you use a wheelchair or have limited mobility, please reach out in advance so we can discuss accessibility options; for example, if you believe you require wheelchair assistance to get through an airport you may not be fit enough to participate in this program.

Weather: Late March in New Zealand brings the start of autumn, offering mild days and crisp evenings. Weather this time of year is mild and pleasant, with daytime highs often in the high 50s°F (around 15°-19°C) and cooler nights dipping to the low 40s°F (around 5-8°C). Expect crisp mornings and the possibility of some rain showers. The North Island is warmer while the South Island is cooler, making it an ideal time for hiking and avoiding summer crowds. While March is historically one of the most stable months, the country can still experience sudden changes and sporadic showers. Additionally, cyclone season runs until April, so heavy rain or ex-tropical storms occasionally blow in from the Pacific.

Attire: We recommend a refillable water bottle, packing layers, a warm outer layer for nighttime, and an umbrella for this beautiful autumn transition period in New Zealand. You won’t need to worry about heavy layers like thick puffer jackets, but it is handy to have wet weather gear and a light jacket so you can layer up and down as necessary. We recommend wearing comfortable hiking shoes or sneakers, as well as a pair of sport sandals. No matter where you go in New Zealand, you’ll want warmer clothes to change into in the evening; a cozy outer layer, sweatshirt and long pants won’t go unused.

New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA)

Participants with US citizenship visiting New Zealand require a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) that they must purchase prior to travel. Links to the NZeTA mobile apps are also at this website. The cost for the NZeTA and the included International Visitor Conservation & Tourism Levy (which accounts for NZ$100 of the total) is NZ$117 via the app or NZ$123 online. Participants then receive their visa when they arrive at their entry point in New Zealand.

For any additional questions or inquiries, please contact onwards@IESabroad.org.