Kia ora and welcome to Aotearoa New Zealand! We're thrilled to welcome you to the Tūhono Exchange Orientation Programmes.
Tūhono, meaning to connect in Māori, reflects our goal of connecting you with the land, culture, and people of Aotearoa. These orientation programmes are designed to provide you with a strong foundation for a successful and enriching exchange experience.
We hope you are excited to embark on this journey with us!
Programme Overview
Our Orientation Programmes offer a range of experiences to suit your needs and interests. From a single-day introduction to a more immersive three-day experience, we'll help you settle in, learn about local customs, and make connections with fellow exchange participants.
We currently offer two programme options:
One-Day Orientation Experience
- A concise introduction to life in Aotearoa New Zealand.
- Our 1-day orientation provides participants with a meaningful introduction to Māori culture alongside essential guidance for living, working, and travelling in New Zealand.
- Participants take part in a welcoming experience grounded in tikanga Māori, offering a respectful introduction to the values, customs, and cultural practices that shape Aotearoa. This includes an overview of te ao Māori and how it connects to everyday life.
- Alongside the cultural component, the programme covers key practical information to help participants confidently navigate their time in New Zealand. This includes guidance on settling in, understanding local systems, and preparing for work and travel.
- This orientation provides a strong foundation, ensuring participants arrive informed, culturally aware, and ready to begin their journey in Aotearoa.
3-Day Orientation Experience
- A more in-depth exploration of culture, practicalities, and adventure.
- Our 3-day orientation is designed to give participants a deeper understanding of Aotearoa, combining meaningful cultural engagement with practical preparation for life and travel in New Zealand.
- This extended experience includes immersive, Māori-led cultural learning grounded in tikanga and te ao Māori, alongside hands-on workshops that introduce key values, history, and customs. Participants will also take part in guided local excursions, allowing them to connect with the natural landscapes and stories that shape this country.
- In addition to the cultural experience, the programme provides essential practical support to help participants feel confident and prepared. This includes guidance around working and travelling in New Zealand, as well as real-world insights to help them settle in smoothly.
- A key part of the programme is a one-on-one session with our facilitators, where each participant receives personalised support, has all their questions answered, and leaves with a clear plan for their journey ahead.
- This orientation is more than just an introduction — it is a foundation for a meaningful, confident, and connected experience in Aotearoa.
Pastoral Care & Ongoing Support
At Tūhono Exchange, care for our participants extends well beyond the orientation itself. We provide pastoral care and ongoing support throughout participants’ time in Aotearoa, ensuring they feel safe, supported, and connected as they settle into a new environment.
Our team maintains regular check-ins and group communication spaces so participants always know where to turn for guidance, reassurance, or support. This approach reflects manaakitanga in action, caring for the wellbeing of people as a whole, not just delivering an experience.
Programme Options
One-Day Orientation
Inclusions:
- Welcome pack on arrival
- Māori cultural introduction session grounded in tikanga and te ao Māori
- Guidance on employment opportunities, including how to secure work, CV preparation, and understanding the New Zealand job market
- Practical information session covering transport, healthcare, legal requirements, accommodation, and driving in New Zealand
- Setting up essential services, including IRD number, assistance with NZ bank accounts, and NZ SIM card
- Opportunity to connect with other participants and build a support network
Retail Price:
$299 NZD
Three-Day Orientation (continuing from day one)
Inclusions:
- In-depth Māori cultural immersion experiences, including marae-based learning and hands-on workshops
- Guided activities and team-building experiences to build connection and confidence
- Accommodation for 4 nights
- Welcome meal
- One on one session
- Ongoing support, including 24/7 access to our experienced team
Retail Price:
$850 NZD
Note: Prices are subject to change and may vary depending on group size.
We encourage you to carefully consider which orientation programme best suits your needs and preferences. Email us to register and secure your spot.
It is also possible for those just wanting to take part in the in depth cultural immersion day as a stand alone for a cost of 350 NZD
BOOK NOW https://thonoexchange.rezdy.com/759728/1-day-m-ori-cultural-orientation?_gl=1*10e91uu*_gcl_au*MTI1NDMzOTM1LjE3NzU5NjA5MDY.*_ga*MjgzODI0NDMxLjE3NzMwOTU0ODA.*_ga_J7SXS0R0D6*czE3NzU5NjA4NTYkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzU5NzEwODYkajYwJGwwJGgxNTA4NTk1NjQz
We look forward to welcoming you to Aotearoa New Zealand and helping you make the most of your exchange experience!
Testimonials from orientations run by our programme leaders:
We had an amazing time with Louise! I think I can speak for the whole group when I say that she made us feel so welcome and talked us through all the topics with so much patience. I felt instantly more at ease, since it is the first time I'm traveling alone and so far away from my home. They said that we could always reach out to them, and I won't ever forget their kindes. I really am grateful for this experience, even though I wasn't sure whether I should sign up or not, but in the end it was all worth it. Also the group was amazing and I'm looking forward to seeing them on my travels. But by then I'm starting my own adventure and see what it has to offer. Thank you so much Louise!
The orientation with Shontelle was very helpful to start off your time in a new country. Good to meet other people also travelling and to do the activities together. I enjoyed the smaller sized group. Shontelle provided very good information; orientation was a good length.
The Orientation was amazing! I came with so many concerns to NZ but Shontelle really helped me to get as much information as possible and is in general a very warm and friendly person, who really does care about everything we care about. It definitely gives me a lot of security and comfort to know that I can receive help from Shontelle and Lousie at any time and this definitely improves my stay in NZ.
Louise was so great with giving helpful information and being such a lovely person! She always helped with everything🫶🏻
I found it really interesting and helping to feel calm and in control. all my questions were answered, and the support was really helpful for getting to know how i can get around the South Island without a car even if I am in a remote area. Shontelle was really helpful and really welcoming, she made me more confident in my plans. I love the 24/7 support; it is really reassuring. The orientation was really quick, we had a lot of time to explore the city on our days and since we were a really small group, it was fun being all in the same room and doing activities together.
I'm really glad, that I booked the program. It feels great to have someone supporting you if you have questions or need help with anything. I was also glad about the orientation days, because they were really informative. Louise and Shontelle were so kind and welcoming and helped me decide on my future travel plans.
Louise is a wealth of knowledge. She is so well rounded and connected in NZ and that was so clear during the duration of the orientation week. She was reassuring and comforting, despite an endless amount of unknowns.
It helped us feeling more comfortable especially at the beginning of our journey. It was wonderful to have such kind and open people who helped you with all the preparations for doing work and travel. After the program we felt really prepared to explore New Zealand. We have got a lot of informations which have been presented very well. Furthermore it is really nice that we are able to ask for help any time. Thanks for the great start. Regards Xenia and Leonie
The orientation days were really helpful and very well organized.
It was great to have this group of people that also did the orientation to explore Auckland. This way you have this little community where everyone is in a similar situation as you which gives you a lot of comfort and a chance to make new friends.
All the information and advice that we received was very helpful as well and made me feel very secure and reassured.
The people were also very kind and empathetic which added to the comfortable atmosphere.
I have been incredibly grateful for Louise and the whole team. From start to finish all of my questions were answered and I always felt secure. The presentations during orientation were incredibly informative and touched on things that I would never have thought to question. I would highly recommend future traveller's!
Shontelle and the team have been absolutely amazing at making me feel prepared and supported. The orientation was engaging, super informative and filled me with so much confidence for all my upcoming NZ plans! Shontelle has been amazing at answering all my questions and I know that I can always turn to her with any concerns or questions. Thank you Shontelle and Team!
Shantelle was a very kind and helpful host. She gave us lots of useful tips,such as the best ways to find work, where to enjoy the best activities, and what to watch out for or avoid in New Zeeland. We quickly go to know each other people and went on some amazing trips together.
Shontelle has been an amazing help giving us all so much information about everything we need as well as just being incredibly friendly and supportive to all of us with different issues.
As soon as we arrived in New Zealand, we felt very comfortable and welcome. We never felt like we were alone in this, because there were always people to talk to. Especially Shontelle was very kind, helpful and always there for you.
Louise possesses a wealth of knowledge that is truly astounding. Her ability to provide insightful answers, even in response to diverse and unique questions, was incredibly valuable.
Constanze Kretz, Mathilda Boldt
We really liked that we talked about sensitive topics such as homesickness and culture shock, because it affects us all. Moreover, the videos about the Maori culture and the other examples that we were shown were very helpful to imagine and immerse yourself in these traditions. Devonport is a great location and the restaurant was good too. The one on one was a good conclusion to the orientation as it gives the possibility to ask some more personal questions that you wouldn't talk about in front of the whole group.
All the information you get during the workshops is so so helpful and made me feel far more comfortable and excited about the months ahead! Everything was covered and Shontelle is a great host who is an expert when it comes to what to do in NZ or how to get by, what to be aware of, etc. She is so knowledgeable and super super nice, and told us numerous times to just give her a call whenever we encounter some problems during our time here. Its so comforting to know that help is available at any time, even though I feel very prepared after the workshops!
Kia Ora,
I am absolutely suprised at how great they both did. With their personalities they gave me the feeling that everything would be fine. They took away the fear I had in the beginning. Helpful information and a good guide for the start in New Zealand. The places they shown us, were absolutly stunning. Thank you so much for your help!
The orientation in Auckland was great! Louise welcomed us with open arms and made us feel comfortable while going through the whole orientation process. Would recommend it every time.
So thankful for a smooth experience. Louise and Shontelle ran two brilliant work shops to go through everything from tax number and accommodation to water safety. Being in a group of other people all doing the same visa was great to get other peoples perspectives and ideas, and to feel less lonely after all the travel to get to Auckland. Louise and Shontelle was so friendly and approachable, I would recommend to all.
Shontelle is a very sweet lady. Shes very helpful and eager to help us having a good time in NewZealand. It was helpful for us because that way we had some orientation and were not that lost.
Devenport is a pretty nice place and that trip is good to meet and get to know other people.
Again Shontelle is very nice and you can ask her anything.
Had a great time at the orientation days. Shontelle and Louise are two lovely hosts and helped to really declutter and put into perspective the many options available for travellers in New Zealand. Inducing a feeling of calmness and preparedness without taking away from the spontaneity of travelling.
Just great, giving you an easy start without having to worry about setting up a bank account and getting to know people. Shontelle and Louise were super friendly and helpful in all regards and organized cool tours.
The length of the orientation days was perfect, not too long, not too short. They gave us a lot of information about travelling, safety, accommodations and the culture. Going to Devonport was really nice and we had a lot of fun having dinner with all the other participants of the program. They gave us a lot of tips on how to look for jobs and helped us with our CV's. Shontelle and Louise were very, very nice and helpful and we enjoyed meeting them!
The orientation with Louise in Auckland was great. 100% recommend! She gave everyone very good tips and tricks for our working holiday in New Zealand and ensured personally that everyone knew what to do after the first few days.
I really enjoyed the intro days with Louise and Shontelle, it was super helpful and I couldn't imagine how to start my journey without them. They are very lovely people and really want only the best for every single one of us. They try everything they can to help us. Also, they were a emotional support and really make you feel like you're worth being here. Thank you so much.
Intro-course was really helpful, I got to know lot's of essential information for my working and living here, without Louise and her team the first impresion of New Zealand would not be as excelent as it is now. I do higly recomend this to everyone, it means a world to me, to have a 24/7 support even though I am so far from my home :) Dear Louise 1000x thank you for your support and for believing in us :)
This review is about Louise Newbury One of the kindest and most helpful people I know so far. She stayed every time someone had an issue until everything’s clear and was always there for our questions. I felt safe and understood every time. The Orientation is such an important event for everybody coming to New Zealand for the first time, especially if someone like Louise is involved in it, she made us laugh and helped us through the first days on the end of the world. I gained inspiration, tipps and experience because Louise shared her stories with us. The world needs more people like her!
Louise was so incredibly helpful and welcoming, she eased any worries I had and was so friendly. Having someone guide me through the necessary paperwork and all of the boring but essential bits and bobs like getting a new phone number or IRD number was a huge weight off my shoulders and made my first few days in Auckland all the more enjoyable. I can't stress enough how lovely and helpful Louise was. She had an answer for all 999+ questions I had, and even if she didn't know the answer herself, she went out of her way to find out for me. She really went above and beyond, helping other members of the group move their luggage and find accommodation, and even went over my travel plans with me to make sure I knew how to get from A to B and that I felt safe and confident every step of the way. Thank you so much Louise!
Louise is such an interesting and knowledgeable person about so many aspects of New Zealand and its culture. All of her tips and recommendations were truly appreciated and very helpful in deciding what my next steps would be. Loved that she broke everything down and didn't mind any questions asked or going into details about best ways to travel or looking into any issues for anyone. She is such a genuine and caring person and it really shows in just how much of a great job she does and carries out to do for the whole time on your visa. Would definitely recommend to anyone thinking of doing the working holiday visa for this aspect alone.
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