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May 26 – June 3, 2024
This journey to New Zealand, a country with a highly-developed free market economy, explores how the government fosters innovation through tailored policies and incentives. In addition to day trips outside of the cities that explore New Zealand’s natural beauty, students have the opportunity to meet with local social enterprises to understand their business models and strategies. Students also explore what New Zealand is doing to support the indigenous Māori community through visits to Māori owned businesses and an examination of Te Puni Kōkiri, the government’s principal policy advisor on Māori wellbeing and development.
Travel from Los Angeles to Auckland, New Zealand.
This day is lost as you cross the international date line but don’t worry, you’ll get it back on your way home.
After your long journey, settle in to New Zealand with a city tour around Auckland taking in the harbor and city skyline, but first, participate in a traditional welcome ceremony. Take it easy on your first night by learning about cultural norms and considering the themes and questions of the trip with your local guide.
Continue getting to know the history of the country at the Auckland Museum. Then get to know the people by visiting a local high school for a shared cultural exchange with your international peers.
Visit The Cookie Project NZ or participate in a workshop with The Impact Initiative to unpack the meaning of social enterprises and impact entrepreneurship.
Travel outside of the city today to Rotorua, a town set on its namesake lake on New Zealand’s North Island, renowned for its geothermal activity and Māori culture. Get to know the farming culture of New Zealand at Rotorua’s Agrodome. The 350-acre farm has a variety of animals for you to meet!
Then visit Te Puia, featuring dramatic geysers, bubbling mud, and beautiful native bush. Explore the Rotorua Geothermal Park and Māori culture and restaurant.
Board a flight to New Zealand’s capital, Wellington.
Hop aboard a waka (traditional Maori canoe) for a guided tour of Wellington Harbour.
Take a city tour and visit New Zealand’s famed ‘Beehive’ parliament.
Visit the Wellington Museum to learn fascinating stories and history of the Wellington Region.
Then enjoy a Wētā Experience at the Wētā Workshop. Take part in a guided journey through the practical effects crafted for The Lord of THe Rings, King Kong, The Chronicles of Narnia, Avatar and more.
Cap off the day cheering for the Hurricanes vs Highlanders at Sky Stadium. Enjoy a classic kiwi rugby game dinner at the stadium.
Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand’s national museum. The Māori name translates literally to ‘container of treasures.’ A fuller interpretation is ‘our container of treasured things and people that spring from mother earth here in New Zealand.’ Visit on a guided tour.
In the afternoon, visit Zeelandia Nature Preserve, the world’s first fully-fenced urban sanctuary. Discover some of New Zealand’s rarest and unique fauna, flora, and fungi. Experience what Aotearoa was like before the arrival of humans and what it might look like again.
Enjoy dinner at Everybody Eats, a unique pay-as-you-feel dining concept.
Wind down your trip with Poroporoaki, a traditional Māori closing. Begin your journey home.
Insight has delivered international trips for a wide variety of audiences, including both adults and youths, since 2013. Our top priority from start to finish is the health and well-being of our participants. In the event conditions change while on trip, Insight may need to adjust the itinerary to ensure participant health and safety.
As with all trips, risks do exist and participants will need to complete Acknowledgement of Risk documentation prior to departure. Insight will take every precaution to ensure this experience is truly unforgettable, all for the right reasons. To learn more about our health and safety practices, please contact us.
Please refer to instructions sent by your school.
We take students out of the classroom and challenge them to learn about how the world really works in different places, delivering truly unique travel opportunities around the world.