Volunteer with VSA

Kia ora, Malo e lelei and warm Pacific greetings

Te Whāinga | Our Purpose
Te Hono Tangata - Te Huringa Ora
Connecting People – Transforming Lives.

Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) connects skilled volunteers with organisations and communities throughout the Pacific and beyond to support locally identified aspirations and achieve sustainable change.

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About the role

This is an opportunity to become a VSA Volunteer and share your experience, skills and knowledge while building capacity in the Cook Islands. You will work alongside our local partner organisation to strengthen beekeeping practices, support local beekeepers, and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the sector.

We are seeking an experienced Beekeeping Advisor or someone with highly relevant transferable skills who understands the spirit of volunteering and is passionate about capability building in the Pacific.

This assignment is based in Rarotonga, Cook Islands and is for 12 months.
VSA will support you by funding and organising your flights, visas, insurance, accommodation, living allowance and utilities while on assignment.

Ngā tino Pūkenga/Wheako | Essential Skills and Experience
We are looking for someone with:

• Extensive experience as a beekeeper
• A New Zealand DECA (Disease Elimination Conformity Agreement) Certificate
• Experience constructing, establishing and maintaining healthy bee colonies
• Experience extracting honey and other bee products
• Experience developing, documenting and writing beekeeping guidelines
• Knowledge of biosecurity requirements relating to apiculture
• Experience developing and delivering beekeeping training programmes
• Strong communication skills and the ability to train individuals and groups
• An interest in mentoring and supporting emerging beekeepers

Desirable

• Knowledge of a range of hive systems, including Langstroth, Top Bar, Flow Hives and Observation Hives
• Experience producing value-added bee products such as candles, wax products and skincare items
• Experience supporting industry groups, associations or community organisations

Important note: Due to VSA funding requirements, volunteers must be New Zealand citizens or New Zealand permanent residents to progress through the recruitment process.

Our Partner Organisation – Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) The Ministry of Agriculture promotes and supports agricultural development across the Cook Islands, with responsibilities including food security, research and development, livestock, crop production and biosecurity.

The Ministry's Advisory Services Division provides technical advice and support to communities and stakeholders, including leadership of the Cook Islands beekeeping sector.

The Assignment – Beekeeping Advisor - The Cook Islands beekeeping sector is small but growing, with an increasing number of beekeepers producing honey for local markets. The environment is highly favourable for beekeeping, with year-round flying conditions and very few known bee diseases. Notably, the Cook Islands remains free from Varroa and has not recorded American Foulbrood since the 1990s.

The Ministry of Agriculture has recently re-established a dedicated beekeeping function and is supporting the development of the newly formed Cook Islands Beekeepers Association.

As a volunteer, you will:

• Support Ministry staff to strengthen beekeeping advisory services
• Assist and mentor new and existing beekeepers
• Support initiatives aimed at developing export opportunities for Cook Islands honey and hive products
• Assist with disease-free status initiatives, including ongoing DNA testing and AI disease detection trials
• Provide technical advice on biosecurity and hive management
• Deliver training and capacity-building programmes for Ministry staff and beekeepers
• Support the development of the Cook Islands Beekeepers Association, including grant funding applications and workshops
• Help maintain and develop beekeeping standards and best-practice guidelines
• Promote beekeeping through community engagement, schools, media and public awareness activities

This assignment offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the future of a growing beekeeping sector while helping build sustainable local capability.

The Country – The Cook Islands is a self governing nation in free association with New Zealand, located in the heart of the Pacific Ocean.  Known for its stunning lagoons, tropical climate and welcoming culture, the Cook Islands offers an exceptional opportunity to experience island life while making a meaningful contribution to local development.
Rarotonga, the main island, combines modern amenities with a strong sense of community and rich Polynesian culture.

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to Apply Please apply for this opportunity through the VSA website.

For more information or questions about this assignment, contact our recruitment team at:
volunteer@vsa.org.nz

We are looking for a volunteer with:

• Share your beekeeping expertise through a 12-month VSA assignment in Rarotonga,
• Train, mentor and support local beekeepers and Ministry of Agriculture staff.
• Help grow a sustainable, disease-free beekeeping industry and build local capabi