Kia ora, Malo e lelei, Ni sa bula, Talofa lava, Halo, Kia orana, Mauri and warm Pacific greetings,
2025/2026 Graduate Volunteer (UniVol) Programme
Have you recently graduated, or graduating in 2025?
Are you willing to take your knowledge, skills and experience to build capacity in the Pacific?
Are you ready to embrace and fully immerse into Pacific culture?
If you have answered “yes” to all the above questions, then please keep reading as the Volunteer Services Abroad (VSA) - Te Tūao Tāwāhi UniVol Programme is looking for motivated, service-minded and passionate graduates for our 2026 intake!
VSA’s UniVol programme aims to provide new graduates with a unique cultural experience in the Pacific while contributing to existing VSA programmes and improving international development education in New Zealand.
To be eligible for this programme you will need to:
As part of our programme, you’ll receive comprehensive support, including:
Te Hono Tangata - Te Huringa Ora.
Ka hono a Te Tūao Tāwāhi i ngā tūao pūkenga ki ngā whakahaere me ngā hapori i te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa me tua atu, hei tautoko i ngā wawata kua tautuhia ā-rohe, ā, kia tutuki ai te panoni toitū.
Connecting People – Transforming Lives.
VSA connects skilled volunteers with organisations and communities in the Pacific and beyond to support locally identified aspirations and achieve sustainable change.
VSA is New Zealand's largest and most experienced volunteering agency working in international development. We provide skilled volunteers from Aotearoa to support organisations in the Pacific and beyond through capacity building, both in-country and virtually.
About the Assignment -
In this assignment a VSA volunteer will provide support to the Judges of the High Court - National Judiciary with legal research.
There is an online database with national and Pacific statutes, case law, verdicts, cases and references that can be used, access to Court files, and the National Judiciary library.
The VSA volunteer will conduct research to high quality and ensure that reference materials are filed and are accessible for future use on similar cases, they will also support judges by drafting legal documents that include memos,
rulings and other documents.
The Partner Organisation - High Court - National Judiciary
The High Court of Solomon Islands has unlimited original civil and criminal jurisdiction and presides over serious criminal and civil cases. It also has appellate jurisdiction, hearing appeals from the magistrates' courts and from the Customary Land Appeal Court (on points of law only for the latter).
The High Court's rulings on appeal from the Customary Land Appeal Court are final. Other High Court rulings are subject to appeal to the Court of Appeal.
The Chief Justice presides over the High Court which has nine judges. Each judge has an associate and an executive assistant. The work done by the judges and their support staff is important for ensuring that justice is carried out in a time manner and with the information required. Research is
a key component of this work.
The Country - Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands has over 900 islands, 5,000 rural villages and 550,000 people. Between 1999 and 2003 it experienced a period of conflict which took a heavy toll on the country and left a need for reconciliation and on-going peace and security measures.
A request for assistance by the government in 2003 led Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific Island countries to form the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) which restored peace and security.
VSA has established a strong presence in Solomon Islands through its ongoing partnerships with multiple in-country partners, including strong relationships with Solomon Islands Government.
About You
Essential
At VSA, we value the unique perspectives and cultural capabilities that Māori and Pacific peoples bring to our work. We’re especially eager to welcome candidates who are deeply connected to whānau, community, church, work, or lived experiences that strengthen ties to Māori and Pacific peoples.
If this resonates with you, please highlight your connections, experiences, and cultural strengths in your cover letter and CV—we’d love to hear about how you can make an impact with VSA!
You can apply for up to five (5) UniVol assignments. You do not need to create a separate cover letter for each, however, please state in your cover letter which assignments you are applying for in order of your most preferred assignment.
Apply now for this opportunity through our website www.vsa.org.nz
To review the full assignment description please copy and paste the below link into your browser:
Please note, we cannot guarantee that if you are successful, you will be offered your first preferences.
For more information or if you have any questions, please email univol@vsa.org.nz.
2025/2026 Graduate Volunteer (UniVol) Programme
Have you recently graduated, or graduating in 2025?
Are you willing to take your knowledge, skills and experience to build capacity in the Pacific?
Are you ready to embrace and fully immerse into Pacific culture?
If you have answered “yes” to all the above questions, then please keep reading as the Volunteer Services Abroad (VSA) - Te Tūao Tāwāhi UniVol Programme is looking for motivated, service-minded and passionate graduates for our 2026 intake!
VSA’s UniVol programme aims to provide new graduates with a unique cultural experience in the Pacific while contributing to existing VSA programmes and improving international development education in New Zealand.
To be eligible for this programme you will need to:
- Be a New Zealand citizen or Permanent Resident
- Be 30 years old or under
- Have recently graduated, or graduating in 2025, from a New Zealand University.
As part of our programme, you’ll receive comprehensive support, including:
- Fully covered travel expenses – no need to worry about flights or transport costs
- Accommodation provided – your home away from home, taken care of
- Living allowance – so you can focus on your mission without financial stress and more!
Te Hono Tangata - Te Huringa Ora.
Ka hono a Te Tūao Tāwāhi i ngā tūao pūkenga ki ngā whakahaere me ngā hapori i te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa me tua atu, hei tautoko i ngā wawata kua tautuhia ā-rohe, ā, kia tutuki ai te panoni toitū.
Connecting People – Transforming Lives.
VSA connects skilled volunteers with organisations and communities in the Pacific and beyond to support locally identified aspirations and achieve sustainable change.
VSA is New Zealand's largest and most experienced volunteering agency working in international development. We provide skilled volunteers from Aotearoa to support organisations in the Pacific and beyond through capacity building, both in-country and virtually.
About the Assignment -
In this assignment a VSA volunteer will provide support to the Judges of the High Court - National Judiciary with legal research.
There is an online database with national and Pacific statutes, case law, verdicts, cases and references that can be used, access to Court files, and the National Judiciary library.
The VSA volunteer will conduct research to high quality and ensure that reference materials are filed and are accessible for future use on similar cases, they will also support judges by drafting legal documents that include memos,
rulings and other documents.
The Partner Organisation - High Court - National Judiciary
The High Court of Solomon Islands has unlimited original civil and criminal jurisdiction and presides over serious criminal and civil cases. It also has appellate jurisdiction, hearing appeals from the magistrates' courts and from the Customary Land Appeal Court (on points of law only for the latter).
The High Court's rulings on appeal from the Customary Land Appeal Court are final. Other High Court rulings are subject to appeal to the Court of Appeal.
The Chief Justice presides over the High Court which has nine judges. Each judge has an associate and an executive assistant. The work done by the judges and their support staff is important for ensuring that justice is carried out in a time manner and with the information required. Research is
a key component of this work.
The Country - Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands has over 900 islands, 5,000 rural villages and 550,000 people. Between 1999 and 2003 it experienced a period of conflict which took a heavy toll on the country and left a need for reconciliation and on-going peace and security measures.
A request for assistance by the government in 2003 led Australia, New Zealand and other Pacific Island countries to form the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) which restored peace and security.
VSA has established a strong presence in Solomon Islands through its ongoing partnerships with multiple in-country partners, including strong relationships with Solomon Islands Government.
About You
Essential
- Bachelor's degree in law.
- Strong research and analytical skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Prior experience in legal research or related field is preferred but not required.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Prior experience in legal research.
At VSA, we value the unique perspectives and cultural capabilities that Māori and Pacific peoples bring to our work. We’re especially eager to welcome candidates who are deeply connected to whānau, community, church, work, or lived experiences that strengthen ties to Māori and Pacific peoples.
If this resonates with you, please highlight your connections, experiences, and cultural strengths in your cover letter and CV—we’d love to hear about how you can make an impact with VSA!
You can apply for up to five (5) UniVol assignments. You do not need to create a separate cover letter for each, however, please state in your cover letter which assignments you are applying for in order of your most preferred assignment.
Apply now for this opportunity through our website www.vsa.org.nz
To review the full assignment description please copy and paste the below link into your browser:
Please note, we cannot guarantee that if you are successful, you will be offered your first preferences.
For more information or if you have any questions, please email univol@vsa.org.nz.
We are looking for a volunteer with:
- Volunteer on a 9-10month VSA assignment in the Solomon Islands
- Immerse yourself in a new cultural experience in the Pacific
- A Graduate programme like no other!
VSA covers flights, accommodation, insurance and some expenses. A living allowance is also provided.
Does volunteering with one of the largest and most experienced agency in international development interest you?