Landscapes & People:
New Zealand and the Cook Islands
May 5 – June, 2014
View of Aoraki-Mount Cook from the Glentanner Station accommodations
Landscapes & People:
New Zealand and the Cook Islands
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What is the program about?
Coursework
Activities & excursions
Accommodations
Finances
Application process
What is the program about?
Landscapes and People will provide a better understanding of
the changing landscapes within two areas of the South Pacific.
(1) Exploration of the Southern Alps of the South Island of New
Zealand, one of the most significant high-mountain
environments of the Southern Hemisphere.
> Focus
on the physical geography of this high-mountain landscape, and
the opportunities and risks these have provided for the earliest as well as
present human inhabitants of Aotearoa/New Zealand.
> This study will be accomplished as a four-week road trip through the
Southern Alps, stretching from the South Pacific Ocean coast to the
Tasman Sea coast.
> Note: We will be hiking and working outside almost every day in late
autumn weather: proper boots and clothing and a moderate level of
fitness are required.
(2) Travel to the Cook Islands, specifically the main island of
Rarotonga.
> Focus
on the relations between the physical geography and the human
inhabitants of the Cook Islands, beginning with the archipelago’s
settlement as part of the great Polynesian migrations. The management
of tropical cyclone and tsunami hazards at Rarotonga will be used as a
case study of natural hazards management in small island nations.
> We will be based out of the Cook Islands’ capital and waterfront town
of Avarua.
Coursework
 GEOG 491: Natural hazard risk in New Zealand and the
Cook Islands
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An advanced study of the risks associated with selected natural
hazards, and the management of these risks, in New Zealand and the
Cook Islands.
 Case studies will include the Christchurch earthquakes of 2011;
mass movement, flood, glacial and meteorological hazards in
the Southern Alps; and tropical cyclone and tsunami hazards at
Rarotonga, Cook Islands.
 GEOG 413: Mountain Environments
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Study of mountain environments from a physical geographical
perspective, emphasizing the hazards, resources, and impacts which are
created when humans interact with these environments.
 Examples of case studies: the Southern Alps’ iconic tussock grasslands
and high-mountain sheep stations: implications for management;
tectonic processes including a study of the world famous Alpine
Fault; mass movement processes in a geologically active mountain
range; mountain weather on an oceanic island; glacier behaviour
and resources. Etc etc.
Activities & Excursions
Oamaru blue penguins
Moeraki Boulders
Rarotonga ‘Island Night’
Sheep shearing
Nga Hau e Wha Marae, Christchurch
Accommodations
Christchurch/Southern Alps:
We will be staying either in motels or self-contained cabins at “holiday parks”. All rooms have their own
bathrooms and cooking facilities, and common laundry areas.
• Accommodations will be in: Christchurch; Bealey (Arthurs
Pass); Franz Josef Glacier; Wanaka; Queenstown; Glentanner
Station (Mt Cook); Oamaru. Amenities (eateries, stores etc.)
within easy walking distance everywhere except in Bealey
and Glentanner.
Avarua, Rarotonga:
We will be staying in a motel in the heart of Avarua and
within a five-minute walk of Avarua harbour. All rooms
have their own bathrooms but very limited cooking
facilities.
•All amenities in Avarua (eateries, stores, internet etc.)
are within a few minutes’ walk.
Note:
•You will be expected to share accommodations with other students; typically 4-6 students per room.
•WiFi or internet cafes will be available at most but not all accommodations. Plan to be without internet
access at some of the more remote accommodations for a few days unless you plan to purchase a New
Zealand mobile phone with internet access (available at Christchurch Airport).
Finances
Program fee $3,300
Includes:
• Accommodations
• 4 group dinners
• All in-country transportation
• Cultural activities during the five weeks
• $384.25 Go Global fee
Finances
Program fee of $3,300 does not include:
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Round-trip air ticket (approx. $2,000-$2,100).
**Critical that you purchase a flight which includes the Rarotonga leg; it is far
more expensive to purchase a separate ticket to/from Rarotonga. Very few
airlines fly there; you will have to book with Air New Zealand and early enough to
ensure a seat on the only Auckland-Rarotonga flight on 3rd June. This flight will sell
out by March 2014.
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UBC tuition for 2 courses.
Immunizations (some immunizations recommended for
the Cook Islands but not required; check with your
doctor).
Groceries/meals.
Visas (not required for Canadian citizens).
Health/travel insurance (should include evacuation
in case of serious illness in Rarotonga).
Personal spending money including internet access.
Day trips and recreation.
Finances
Go Global Award of $1,000:
• 70% average in your best 24 credits
(8 courses)
• Looking at your 2012-13 year – so
last year!
• No Fails or Standing Deferreds
• Deposited in March directly to your
SSC
Finances
How the Program Fee is paid
1. Deposit in early December ($500)
**Flight purchase ideally between Dec-Feb.
2. Second payment in late January ($800)
3. Third payment in late February ($1000)
4. Fourth payment in mid March ($1000)
Application process
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Deadline: November 13th
Application is 100% online
Respond to all questions on the application
You may be asked for an interview
Students notified near the end of November
Pre-departure
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1 or 2 separate days on campus in Term 2
Preparation for your five weeks in
the South Pacific
Meet all other students in the
program
Questions?
Program Director
• Fes de Scally
(fes.descally@ubc.ca)
Go Global Coordinator
• Dana Lowton (dana.lowton@ubc.ca)