Volunteer
Volunteering on board Evohe is a rare opportunity to be part of meaningful work in one of the most remote parts of the world. Evohe is a 25m expedition yacht that supports Department of Conservation work in New Zealand’s Subantarctic Islands. These islands are wild, isolated, and internationally recognised for their extraordinary wildlife, striking landscapes, and ecological importance.
The Subantarctic Islands lie deep in the Southern Ocean and include island groups such as the Auckland Islands and Campbell Island. They are known for their towering cliffs, windswept coastlines, sheltered harbours, seabird colonies, sea lions, penguins, albatross, and unique plant life found almost nowhere else. For many people, travelling through these waters, watching the weather move across the landscape, and helping to support conservation work is an unforgettable experience. This is not ordinary travel or tourism. It is the chance to be part of a working expedition in one of the world’s most remote and remarkable environments.
Life on board is hands-on, and volunteers need to be ready to work hard and help where needed. The work will depend on your skills and on the needs of the voyage, but it may include cooking, cleaning, loading supplies, taking watch, and helping with maintenance tasks. The days can be physically demanding, and flexibility is important, but being part of the crew in this way is also a big part of what makes the experience rewarding.
Volunteers may or may not have the opportunity to go ashore during a voyage. Any landing would need to be for operational reasons rather than recreational ones, so it should not be assumed to be part of the experience. Even so, simply being on board in these waters, surrounded by the scale, wildlife, and changing weather of the Southern Ocean, is an experience in itself.
This is an unpaid role. Volunteers are generally expected to cover the cost of getting themselves to and from the vessel, which is usually in Bluff. Food and other essentials on board are included. We know that financial circumstances vary, and if someone is unable to meet the travel costs for a genuine reason, we are very happy to discuss this and consider covering them.
If you are interested in volunteering, please email volunteer@expeditionssouth.co.nz with a one-page document outlining your background, relevant experience, and any practical skills you could bring to the voyage. This does not need to be formal, but it should give us a clear sense of who you are and how you might be able to contribute on board.
These voyages operate in a challenging environment and require careful planning, so volunteers need to be available and flexible with dates. Plans can change because of weather, logistics, and operational requirements. We also ask that anyone who volunteers does so with a genuine commitment to follow through, as pulling out can create real difficulties for the voyage and the wider operation.
We receive a high level of interest in these opportunities, so not everyone who puts themselves forward will be able to come on board. If that happens, we will do our best to stay in touch, and additional opportunities may come up in the future.
