Volunteer Service Abroad

Since 1962 VSA has recruited around 4000 ordinary New Zealanders from a wide range of backgrounds, from business mentors and lawyers to IT advisers and eco-tourism operators.

All VSA assignments fit within one or more of six focus areas: building local business, supporting strong communities, safeguarding the environment, fostering good governance, education and health.

In addition to these, VSA considers issues related to gender equity, human rights and young people as central to all our work.

In February 1963, Sir Edmund Hillary became VSA's founding President, a role he continued in for 13 years.

On 26 May, it was reported that the VSA had been the subject of a cyber attack that locked the charity out of its computer systems and servers.

VSA volunteers at work in Vanuatu