A group of eight students and two faculty members departed on a month-long trip to New Zealand on December 10. This Lees-McRae Global Partnership Trip focuses on wildlife rehabilitation, community service and environmental theology. 
Nina Fischesser, Director of the Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute, and Robert Black, Director of the Global Community Center, are leading this trip for junior and senior Wildlife Rehabilitation majors. Pull out your New Zealand maps and follow along as the group explores the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The itinerary for the trip is as follows:
New Zealand Itinerary – North Island
Wednesday, Dec. 12
Relax and stay in Auckland (ponsonby-backpackers.co.nz)
Volunteer at as many as nine centers that work with 10,000 animals per year.
Thursday, Dec. 13-Sunday, Dec. 16
SPCA– Stay in Auckland (ponsonby-backpackers.co.nz)
Monday, Dec. 17
Goat Island- Snorkeling, etc. Stay in Whangarei (YHA)
Tuesday, Dec. 18
Whangarei Bird Recovery. Stay in Auckland (ponsonby-backpackers.co.nz)
Possible Hobbit town tour in Matamata!
Wednesday, Dec. 19
Drive to Rotorua. Visit Kiwi breeding program. Stay in Rotarua. (www.inthezonebackpackers.co.nz)
Thursday, Dec. 20
Wingspan, New Zealand’s only Raptor Rehab Center at 1:30 p.m.
Drive to Wanganui and stay in Wanganui Dawn (www.tamaralodge.com)
Friday, Dec. 21
Bushy Park Kiwi Cresh in morning and Wanganui Bird Rehab Center in afternoon–stay in Wanganui.
Saturday, Dec. 22
Visit Dr. Bob Eyles for lunch in Levin. He is a pastor who has written books on ‘spirituality and conservation’. Stay in Wellington. (downtownbackpackers.co.nz)
Sunday, Dec. 23
Choose to visit bird rehab center or go to the Conservation Island. Stay in Wellington (downtownbackpackers.co.nz)
Monday, Dec. 24
See museum in the morning. Sail to South Island at 2:30 p.m. Stay in Nelson (Paradiso)
South Island
Tuesday, Dec. 25
Celebrate Christmas. Stay in Nelson (Paradiso). The students already have a plan!
Wednesday, Dec. 26
Visit Fur Seals in Westport on way to Punakaiki. Stay in Punakaiki, Westland Petrels (TeNikauRetreat.co.nz)
Thursday, Dec. 27- Saturday, Dec. 29
Drive to and stay in Franz Joseph Glacier (Glow Worm). We will hike from the tropics to the glaciers and visit a White Heron rookery. This is an incredible area!
Sunday, Dec. 30- Stay in Wanaka
Monday, Dec. 31, 2007-Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008
Celebrate New Year! Lakefront backpackers lodge (laketekapo-accomadation.co.nz).
This is a beautiful and remote high elevation lake area!
Wednesday, Jan. 2- Friday, Jan. 4
Visit Yellow Eyed Penguins, Spoonbill colony, Albatross colony, and Dunedin–stay at Olive Branch.
Saturday, Jan. 5- Sunday, Jan. 6
Akaroa (www.onukufarm.co.nz/)
Monday, Jan. 7- Tuesday, Jan. 8
Visit Christchurch and Rehab Center and (www.dorsethouse.co.nz)
Wednesday, Jan. 9
- Fly home