Expedition will run in January 2025, applications will open in winter 2024

Interested in getting in touch? Contact our branch directly at girls-on-ice@vuw.ac.nz

Welcome to Girls* on Ice Aotearoa!

Girls* on Ice Aotearoa (New Zealand) offers an experience that incorporates Earth science, art, and outdoor exploration. We are part of Inspiring Girls Expeditions and hosted by Te Puna Pātiotio (Antarctic Research Centre) at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University Wellington. We hope that this experience will inspire passion, participation and empowerment for girls* in professions of science, art and wilderness exploration.

Our second expedition will run in mid-to-late January 2025. Students will be selected through an application process, which will open in winter 2024. Sign up to our mailing list for updates on the application processes.

* Inspiring Girls* Expeditions welcomes female-identifying, non-binary, and intersex students.

Explore New Zealand’s unique glaciers

The glaciers of Mount Ruapehu encircle the North Island’s highest active volcanic peak. Mount ‘Ruapehu’ literally translates to ‘exploding pit’. This Girls* on Ice expedition ventures into the Central Plateau and embarks on a journey up this historical mountain.  

New Zealand presents stunning scenery, diverse ecosystems and endless opportunities for exploration. A team of ten girls* will learn about the ever-changing nature of snow and glaciers on Mount Ruapehu, use art to observe the landscape, and engage in practical field work. We work together to create a positive and educational experience for the leaders and participants alike, developing our knowledge of the land, and forming life-long friendships.  

Expedition itinerary 

The day-to-day activities of the expedition may change due to weather and glacier conditions. The basic itinerary is generally as follows: 

• Day 1: Students and staff will meet at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington to prepare for the expedition. Students will be given personal gear and appropriate outdoor clothing for the expedition.

• Day 2: The group will drive to Tongariro National Park from Wellington by van and hike up Whakapapa ski field to the Tararua Tramping Club lodge, where the students and staff will be accommodated for the duration of the expedition .Students will become familiar with gear.

• Days 3 - 5: The instructors will lead trips around the volcano while teaching lessons about ice, snow, glacial geomorphology and ecosystem-climate interaction, and observing the landscapes through art. The lessons will include and incorporate Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge), so that students understand the cultural significance of the maunga (mountain).

• Days 6 - 8: The students identify questions about snow, ice, and the outdoor areas we have been exploring. Students will develop and conduct their own science experiments, and create art pieces that reflect their interactions with mountain environments. 

• Day 9: The staff and students will pack up all equipment and belongings and hike down the maunga from the lodge. The group will travel back to Wellington by van and be housed overnight at the University. 

• Day 10: The students will spend the day compiling their research projects results into a presentation. Students will also learn about studying STEM topics at New Zealand universities from other University staff. The day will culminate with students presenting their art and science projects at the University to their peers, staff, and invited guests (in-person and on zoom).  

• Day 11: During the final morning together, the staff and students will engage in reflection activities and farewells.

Previous expeditions

Our first expedition took place on Mount Ruapehu from 15 - 25 January 2024. The expedition was open to New Zealand-based girls* 15 and 16 years old on 1 January 2024, selected through an application process. The video below is of the post-expedition presentation, with photographs from the time on Mount Ruapehu.

Keep in touch

• Sign up for updates specific to Girls* on Ice Aotearoa (including updates on the application process) here.

• You can email us at girls-on-ice@vuw.ac.nz

• Follow us on Instagram here.

• You can donate to Girls* on Ice Aotearoa here.

Girls* on Ice - Te Hauhunga

Te Hauhunga is the te reo Māori name of Girls on Ice Aotearoa (GOIA). Te means ‘the’, while ‘hauhunga’ has multiple meanings that together reflect the essence of the GOIA programme and its people. ‘Hauhunga’ can mean ‘frost’ or ‘frosty’, a reference to the large role ice plays in the expeditions, but it can also be translated as ‘a pale green variety of greenstone.’ Just like greenstone, our students are considered taonga or a treasure. Additionally, ‘hauhunga’ can be broken down into two component words: ‘hau’ (vitality, vital essence) and ‘hunga’ (a group)’ – together these words suggest ‘a vibrant group’, a great description for our expedition teams. Overall, the name Te Hauhunga conveys how valued our students are as they grow in confidence and vitality exploring Aotearoa’s icy environments. The name Te Hauhunga was created by Dr Meegan Hall and Professor Rawinia Higgins at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington. 

Our Supporters

Girls* on Ice Aotearoa is generously supported by private donations and the following organizations

Our Team

Learn more about Girls* on Ice Aotearoa

What are the dates for the expedition?

Our first expedition ran 15 - 25 January 2024. Our second expedition will be mid-to-late January 2025

How much does it cost to participate in Girls* on Ice Aotearoa?

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, our expeditions are tuition-free. We cover tuition, food, and gear costs for the duration of your expedition. We do ask our participants to contribute to the cost of travel between their homes and Wellington (the expedition starting and ending location). If you and your family are unable to pay for your travel, we will aim to help cover travel.

What have alumni said about their experiences with Inspiring Girls* Expeditions?

You can read thoughts and stories from participants of expeditions in North America and Europe here: testimonials.

Eligibility

How old do I have to be to apply?

Applicants must be 15 or 16 years old on 1 January 2025.

Do you accept applications from outside of Aotearoa New Zealand?

We will only accept applications from students living in New Zealand.

What are the language requirements?

All participants must have the ability to understand and respond quickly to instructions in English for safety reasons.

Can I participate if I have a dietary requirement or restriction?

We will aim accommodate many dietary requirements and restrictions, and we can accommodate dietary preferences such as vegetarian. Please make note of your dietary requirements and restrictions on your application. If you are selected as a participant, we will work with you and your doctor to make sure that you will be happy and healthy on your expedition.

Is Girls* on Ice Aotearoa only for participants with financial need?

No. Our expeditions are open to applicants from all financial backgrounds. As a tuition-free program, however, we do make an effort to select participants who may not otherwise have access to a program like ours.

Applying for Girls* on Ice Aotearoa

When do applications open? When are they due?

Our application will open in August and close in September. The best way to keep updated is to sign up for our mailing list.

What does the application look like?

Our application will be similar to the North America and Europe application, which you can preview here: preview.

How does the application process work? When will I find out if I've been accepted?

Applications for our 2025 expedition will be open in winter 2024. After the due date, we read every application we've received and select our team. This review process can take quite awhile because we read each application multiple times! We try our best to make our team selections and notify all of our applicants in October.

If I submit an application, am I guaranteed a spot on an expedition?

Unfortunately, no. We wish we could accept everyone who applies, but our limited resources mean we can only offer a certain number of expeditions each year. If you are not selected for a team this year, but you are still eligible to apply again next year, we highly encourage you to do so! We admire the perseverance of repeat applicants.

Do you accept late applications or provide extensions?

To be fair to all applicants, we do not accept late applications or teacher recommendations or grant extensions. Please make sure to mark your calendars with the application due date and complete your application well before that date.

Who should I ask to fill out my recommendation forms?

Applications will require the name and email of someone who can provide a recommendation. We may request a recommendation for your application.

This recommendation may be from someone who plays a strong "teacher" role in your life, but does not need to be from your school. Examples of people who may play a strong teacher role in your life could include the director of a play you have been in, the leader of an organization you are involved in, a work supervisor, or an athletic coach. Family friends generally do not fit this role, unless they have also played a specific teacher role in your life. If you choose to ask someone who is not a school teacher, please have them describe the teacher role they have in your life.

When are teams announced?

Team announcements will be made in late September/early October.

Volunteer & Employment Opportunities

What volunteer opportunities do you offer?

We rely on volunteers to help us run our expeditions! We have several areas in which we often need help, including recruiting, application review, fundraising, and expedition preparation and clean up. If you’re interested in helping, please get in touch (girls-on-ice@vuw.ac.nz)