It’s already tomorrow in New Zealand

Spencer Bishop dipped his hand into the pale blue water of Tasman Lake, a glacier-fed body of water in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park in New Zealand.  

The icy shock confirmed what it looked like — this lake, carved by an ancient valley glacier and scattered with icebergs, was no ordinary destination.

Bishop, a student in Virginia Tech’s Online Master of Natural Resources program, offered by the Center for Leadership in Global Sustainability, was part of a 20-person group traveling across New Zealand this spring to explore environmental sustainability practices in action.  As part of the College of Natural Resources and Environment’s commitment to experiential learning, the students rafted past newly calved icebergs and hiked alpine trails, examining how climate, conservation, and community intersect in a global context.

The immersive field experience, which spanned national parks, coastal reserves, and cultural sites, offered more than scenic views. It gave students firsthand insight into the challenges and innovations shaping environmental policy and land management in the Southern Hemisphere.

Footsteps on the ocean floor

As the students trekked slowly toward another glacial lake outside of Aoraki Mount Cook, their footprint were left on a forest floor that 23 million years ago was the ocean floor.

Mighty tectonic powers elevated the land that is now New Zealand to where it sits today, creating a landscape that may be unrivaled in its beauty yet is only about the size of Colorado.

These tectonic plates remain active. In 2011, the city of Christchurch, a few hours away from Aoraki Mount Cook, experienced a devastating earthquake — and the effects are still seen today.

“You can see how the city has rebuilt, not just in terms of stronger, more resilient buildings, but also in its spirit,” Bishop said. The city is "being rebuilt in a way that honors its history while incorporating modern stability and community support. That resilience is incredibly inspiring and a powerful lesson in moving forward.”

New Zealand is still highly vulnerable to natural disasters because it sits atop active tectonic plates.

According to Liam Foster, a water management expert the group met with in Christchurch, infrastructure is evolving to adapt to climate and seismic challenges, and there is a push for improved urban planning and relocation of homes from risky areas. Homes that were in some of devastated areas — called red zones — were moved entirely. The old suburban sites were transformed to natural ecology preserves and have an aura reminiscent of something out of the movie “I Am Legend.”

“There's a lot to be learned,” said Kloe Rife ’23, who graduated with a degree from the Department of Forest Resoruces and Environmental Conservation and is now a Virginia Cooperative Extension agent. “It's particularly relevant to what we've been dealing with in Virginia following Hurricane Helene. The way they've rebuilt after such a major loss — dealing with flooding and other challenges — is valuable. I think the systems and strategies they've used to rebuild and remain resilient will be incredibly helpful to take back and apply in Giles County.”

Water quality, a major focus area in the United States and Appalachia, is also of concern in New Zealand. While the country has some of the highest-rated drinking water in the world, the systems can still be improved.

Variable rainfall across the country — the east is drier than the west — and heavy metals from the rich volcanic soil and pollution can challenge water quality. A 2017 incident led to increased water regulations, Foster said.

Foster's "approach to integrating the surrounding area's cultural heritage with its natural habitats and species into water management practices will be something I carry with me,” Bishop said. “One specific aspect is the use of environmental data points — such as changes in water levels due to seasonal shifts — and incorporating those into a holistic water management model. It's about approaching water issues from multiple angles by truly understanding the contributing factors.”

Just days before, the group saw the power of a volcanic region at the Waimangu Volcanic Valley. About 150 years ago, it experienced one of the most violent volcanic eruptions in this region's recent history. The entire area was devastated and covered in ash and volcanic rock. The soil composition enabled the ecosystem to regenerate, and within 150 years, it has returned to full, vibrant life.

“We often see destruction as a purely negative event, but this showed how resilience and recovery can create something beautiful,” Bishop said.

The volcanic landscape offered more than geological insight — it opened the door to broader conversations about interconnected systems.

“A big theme throughout this trip has been systems, how larger systems interact, from water to energy systems, all the way down to national parks and visitor access,” said Kirsten Lyons ’21, a student in the program who earned a bachelor's degree from the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech. “As a systems engineer, this really resonated with me. I’ll be taking back a broader systems perspective to my job. I want to bring back more specific insights on water management and system dynamics, which I’ve found fascinating and incredibly useful.”

Here, the ancient world still reigns supreme.

A duality of cultures

A majestic sunset was the backdrop for the students on their first evening in Rotorua, which sits a few hours away from Auckland, the country’s largest city. That wonder set the tone for the learning that was about to come at Whakarewarewa - The Living Māori Village the next day.

Māori culture has a profound and lasting impact across New Zealand. The ancestors who lived at Whakarewarewa harnessed the geothermal power of the volcanic region. They used fluid dynamics to route the naturally hot water into baths and other uses for the village.

Through the village, a dense fog hovered over the landscape. But as you walked through this fog, you came to understand it wasn’t fog. It was steam from boiling water heated by the earth itself, warm and sulfuric to the lungs and nose.

The students were guided by Kylie, whose father is the village chief. Kylie shared insights into Māori traditions, including communal thermal bathing, natural medicine practices, and the deep connection between land and wellbeing.

She explained how elders relied on herbal remedies rather than pharmaceuticals and how thermal pools were used not only for hygiene but also to heal skin conditions and respiratory issues. Bathing times were communal, and preparing the baths was a shared responsibility, not a paid task.

Students also learned about spiritual practices, including traditional burial customs and views on organ donation. Kylie highlighted ongoing tensions between Māori spirituality and Western religion, pointing to the visible Catholic church in the village.

In Christchurch, students joined a cultural walking tour with Āmiki Tours, led by Riwai Grace, a local Māori advocate and educator. The experience began with a spiritual smudging using mānuka smoke, a Māori tradition.

Grace shared his personal journey of reconnecting with his culture and gave each student a Māori name. The group explored public art, murals, and memorials across the city, each with deep cultural significance. One mural, blending traditional and modern Māori symbolism, highlighted the community’s resilience and identity.

Learning from an "ancient ancestor"

Aoraki Mount Cook, the most popular national park in the country, is a sacred ancestor for Māori.

The country’s Department of Conservation manages the park with input from local Iwi, which are social units in Māori society, and conservation trusts. But in stark contrast to how parks are managed in the United States, there are no visitor limits or fees collected.

“They’re definitely navigating a delicate balance in terms of direction,” said Heather MacFreier, a fifth-grade teacher and student in the program. “Sustainability is a big focus here, but there are still noticeable gaps — some that they don't even seem aware of. That’s been surprising to me. But it’s been incredible to witness everything from this national park and compare it to parks in the western United States. The management styles are very different.”

Most U.S. national parks, for comparison, have reservation systems, and those systems have improved the visitor experience. However, New Zealand is currently opposed to anything that could inhibit access to its natural wonder.

The Tasman Glacier Lake, which the students visited, is a relatively new glacial lake. The Tasman Glacier is the largest glacier in New Zealand at more than 39 square miles and is about 2,000 feet thick in some portions, despite significantly shrinking in size since the 1990s. Estimates show the lake will reach a maximum size in 10 to 19 years’ time once the glacier completely melts.

Being on a boat on this lake in the southern Alps is nothing short of an iconic experience. But it becomes more than that when students realize this water feeds the rivers that power hydroelectric stations, generating energy that supports the South Island and beyond.

“Suddenly, all these seemingly separate topics connect as a larger, integrated system,” said Dan Marcucci, professor of practice in the college and leader of the global study experience. “That kind of realization happened not only on the lake, but during hikes in the mountains and walking through cities, especially on our guided Māori culture tour in Christchurch. It’s fun to watch those connections happen in real time.”

But how are these iconic experiences balanced with preservation?  

Activities like guiding, camping, and fishing require concessions or fees to fund park upkeep. Even the hike of this group required a concession due to its size.

“One thing that really surprised me was how deeply ingrained sustainability and environmental care are in New Zealand’s society and culture,” Lyons said. “In America, those themes don’t run quite as deep. Everyone we’ve encountered here—from people on the street to the expert guides—seems to have a shared appreciation for the natural world. It’s an understanding that doesn’t need to be explained because it’s just part of life. That was surprising and really refreshing.”

Modernizing wildlife practices

When it comes to conserving an area, being there in real-time helps to understand the type of habitat organizations are aiming to protect.

Throughout New Zealand’s history, many animals have been introduced that are not native to the islands. Stoats, domestic cats, possums, and rats threaten native wildlife — especially birds, as the native avians largely evolved to be ground-nesting and flightless, as flight wasn’t necessary in the absence of predators. This made them vulnerable to introduced predators.

Some of these endemic bird species include the kea, or alpine parrot; morepork, also known as morepork owl, boobook, or ruru; and kakī, or black stilt.

New Zealand is using predator control methods that include traps, bait stations, and community volunteer programs. A few of the visits across the country showcased the innovative methods used across New Zealand. Bob's Cove, where the group visited on the last day of the trip, is a great example of what the region could look like in terms of native vegetation and the wildlife present.

“Seeing the traps we use in Bob's Cove gives a great overview of the type of terrain we work in on a smaller scale and in a more accessible area, so it makes it easy to showcase to visitors how these traps work,” said Chrissy Becker-Fifield, who has a master's degree in wildlife conservation and is a member of the Glenorchy Field Crew and volunteer coordinator with Southern Lakes Sanctuary. “It also gives us a great opportunity to talk about how we always aim to carry out invasive species control as compassionately as possible with only species-specific approved traps. It's a great chance for us to talk about this side of our work with others, as often it can be an uncomfortable topic especially for those who are not exposed to this elsewhere in the world.”

Becker-Fifield moved to New Zealand in 2015 a few months after graduating to meet some friends here with the intention of just staying for six months — part of a working holiday visa program. But she became so passionate about the places, people, and how unique the ecosystems are here that she ended up extending her visa.

Eventually, Becker-Fifield landed a hands-on role with the Kiwi Park in Queenstown and took part in several of its native species breed-for-release programs and rehabilitation work. After gaining more experience, she moved to Glenorchy, at the head of Lake Whakatipu, because she wanted to see if there was any work more local to the area.  

“In 2022, a job with Southern Lakes Sanctuary came up based out here full-time and I thought, ‘Wouldn't it now be great to protect the wild cousins of the species I have been caring for?’ I took the role to develop my skill set further and to contribute to New Zealand conservation in a different way,” Becker-Fifield said. 

New Zealand "is one of the few places where if humans left, the environment would be in a worse state,” she said.

The shift to organic  

New Zealand has long had a reputation for its clean, green image, and its push for organic farming — particularly in fruit and livestock, such as sheep — aligns with its environmental values and international market demands.

“What stood out was how this farming collective has real global impact,” Marcucci said. “Despite New Zealand being a small country, they’re swinging above their weight in agricultural exports. It was eye-opening to see how tightly integrated local practices are with international markets and how essential that is for the local economy.”

As part of the global study program, the group visited a Zespri Kiwifruit organic farm in Te Puke.

In the 1980s, New Zealand eliminated agricultural subsidies, which eventually led to a more efficient farming industry in the country.

Kiwifruit farming operates with strict industry standards to maintain quality and customer satisfaction. The main marketing entity is grower-owned and regulated, which helps keep the market organized and fair.

The kiwifruit industry continues to innovate through selective breeding, trialing numerous varieties though only a few prove commercially viable. Breeders prioritize traits such as visual appeal, sugar content, and resilience to climate challenges. Rootstock development also plays a crucial role, with the "Bruno" variety widely adopted for its resistance to  Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (PSA), a bacterial disease that affects kiwifruit vines.

Efforts in pest and disease management include the use of mineral oils to control scale, an insect of the Coccamorpha infraorder, and ongoing adaptation to PSA through both selective breeding and changes in rootstock. Notably, soil tests have revealed exceptional quality — often surpassing that of commercial compost.

Organic practices are gaining momentum, with farms focusing on minimal spraying, maintaining soil health, and encouraging beneficial insects. Despite this growth, organic farming still encounters economic and cultural hurdles. However, some farms are making significant strides, approaching zero-waste operations by repurposing rejected fruit into value-added products like nutritional supplement powders. This shift reflects a broader commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable agriculture, the farmers said.

“We saw a lot of organic practices in action,” Rife said. “Many of my producers are already leaning toward organic methods or at least reducing their use of pesticides. So, ideas like incorporating beneficial insects and plants, and focusing more on organic approaches, will be useful for my clientele in Giles [County].”

While New Zealand is famous for sheep — there are more sheep than people — organic sheep farming is growing area of the industry in the country. As part of the hands-on experience in the country, the group visited Lake Hawea Station, an organic sheep farm near Wanaka. The farm is also the first B-Corp, Carbon Zero-certified farm in New Zealand. It is primarily focused on producing high-quality merino wool, and works closely with brands such as Another Tomorrow, Sheep Inc, Maggie Marilyn, and Allbirds.

Lake Hawea Station practices include:

• No synthetic fertilizers or pesticides on grazing lands
• Rotational grazing and regenerative agriculture practices are often used
• Higher animal welfare standards — no growth hormones or routine antibiotics, and incentives to shearers to reduce injuries to the sheep

The students also learned about the importance of diversification in a company such as Lake Hawea Station, which also hosts agricultural tourism experiences on the farm.

Arrive as strangers, leave as friends

Students in the Online Master of Natural Resources' Global Issues in Environmental Sustainability course arrived for this 10-day whirlwind trip having not met face-to-face — the program is entirely online with the exception of the global study experience.

“In an online program, we benefit from being a part of a diverse group from across the United States,” Bishop said. “Coming together in person to speak with experts added a new dimension to our learning. But beyond that, I was learning from my peers, people who deal with water management issues in very different ecosystems. Someone from New Hampshire deals with cold climates and mountainous terrain. Someone else from Arizona or New Mexico faces desert conditions where preserving water is more urgent than just managing it. These varied perspectives helped me build a more holistic understanding of water management in my own ecosystem by seeing how it works elsewhere.”

As the group moved from learning about landscapes to interacting with the people shaping them, relationships began to form — not just with hosts, but with each other.

“I [build connections] every day in my job, and here in New Zealand we've been meeting so many different people from a range of industries—agriculture, natural resources, and more,” Rife said. “Building communities and connecting with people from around the world has been one of the most valuable parts [of this experience].”

With so many personal and professional insights gained, Marcucci reflected on how this journey would ripple into their lives back home.  

“I’m a big believer in the value of travel,” Marcucci said. “Mark Twain wrote that ‘travel is fatal to prejudice,’ and I think that’s absolutely true. Meeting people from different cultures and seeing how they live and think expands your mind in ways nothing else can. There’s no substitute for going out into the world, experiencing it, and learning from it. That’s something I’ll always advocate for.”

Inspired by this journey? Take the next step and explore what studying abroad could look like for you. Visit the Global Education Office to discover programs that can take your education across borders—and even across hemispheres.