Information for this Year's Participants

Part 1: General Information

1. Weather, dress, conduct and luggage.

The north of New Zealand is subtropical and the south temperate. The warmest months are December, January and February, and the coldest June, July and August. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30ΊC and in winter between 10-15ΊC. You can check on average weather conditions by location (there are distinct regional contrast and elevation differences). For instance, one of the sites we visit on the west coast has a unique temperate rainforest and some areas receive up to 7 meters of rain fall per year. For those locations it is necessary to bring a rain poncho or light water proof jacket.

Dress for this program is generally informal and relaxed. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants – if you plan to eat there avoid shorts, T-shirts and leave headgear in your room. You should include (for if the weather turn cooler or we visit higher altitudes) a sweater. You can expect some rain, so include a light rainproof jacket. Bring sturdy walking shoes or light hiking boots (for hikes on uneven terrain), cotton shirts and shorts, socks that can be washed easily. For a few group dinners in restaurants, bring appropriate attire – see itinerary with suggestions. Please remember, by your dress, attitude and behavior you represent not only yourself but also MSU and your country.

We visit with professionals from major national institutions and organizations, mostly volunteering their knowledge and time. Please show them your appreciation and respect by you attitude and the quality of interactions - see course study assignments, and dress expectations.

We do expect that you behave yourself professionally under all circumstances. In program meetings, this means that you behave as AN ACTIVE LISTENER (audio-visual contact) and participate in the discourse through sharing relevant observations and asking relevant questions. The hotels (typically tourist to upper-tourist class hotels), are HOTELS not dormitories! Keep your room doors closed and the noise level down!

PACK RELATIVELY LIGHT! We reduced program costs by saving on transportation expenditures and by renting vans with luggage trailers. This accommodates individual space, a carry-on bag and space for a medium size suitcase. Airlines have their own luggage limitations (weight and dimensions) and you should carefully check the limitations based on the carrier you are using. Excess luggage can (and will be) checked at the airport on arrival, if necessary and at your expense.

2. Personal expenditures and currency needs.

We will have some discretionary funds available to pay for some meals and other group expenditures, such as entrance fees to museums. I will discuss this in more detail before and during the trip. All breakfasts are included. We'll make some group decisions on other joint meal needs, preferences and options during the trip. You may also wish to eat at smaller establishments and make independent food arrangements to save costs. You should assume that most smaller and low-cost establishments do not take credit cards. For your local currency needs you may exchange cash or traveler checks upon arrival, and at border crossings. Please remember that the use of ATM machines and credit cards typically gets you better exchange rates.

3. Accommodations.

We are very fortunate to have been able to reserve mostly 3 star accommodations by working with a travel consolidator. This provides you with additional options for personal care (e.g. laundry and dining). This also means that these services may be somewhat pricey in the major cities and when used will be charged to your room and are your own responsibility. To save cost, take some liquid detergent with you (wrap in small plastic bag) and use quick drying clothing which you can easily wash yourself. Some lodging accommodations have washers/dryers on site – for multiple day stays, plan accordingly. I would also encourage you to explore lower cost dining options ranging from supermarket provisions to small international eateries.

4. Personal Safety.

In major cities, populations are diverse and cosmopolitan. In addition, the attitude towards drugs, alcohol and sex may be more liberal then you are used to. Please observe local customs and laws. You should have nothing to fear if you walk in a small group at night and avoid the mid-night - early morning hours. Please, use common sense as you would while exploring a large US city, and avoid certain locations and personal confrontations. Most public transportation hours are limited (until midnight). Check with the front desk of the hotels for details.

Although there are no snakes or dangerous wild animals in New Zealand, you should be aware of the following:

5. Departure and Arrival Arrangements.

For those persons traveling independently, you must make arrangements to meet the rest of the group in the arrival hall at Auckland airport. Check the arrival information regarding updated arrival times in the arrival hall. If you fail to meet the group, you must proceed independently to the first lodging accommodation.

6. What to bring?

General Items
Passport (Visa, if-needed) (extra photocopy)
Airline ticket
Spending money (credit / ATM card make sure it works)
International Phone card (with NZ access number)
This itinerary
Watch and/or Alarm clock,
Personal medication – in original bottles (extra prescription, just in case)
Notebook (Diary)
Small Field Notebook, Pen(s)


Clothes - General Points
For most of the trip, you may dress casually: shorts and tops, jeans (not recommended) or light-weight, zip-off pants, t-shirts (no holes). A few warmer clothes: jeans, sweaters, turtleneck, and sweatshirts for some trips at higher elevations - "Peelable" clothes are ideal; it gets warm by the middle of the day. Evening-out clothes: Men: dress shoes (no sneakers), dress pants and collared shirts. Women: closed-toed shoes (no boots) 1 or 2 nice outfits. Comfortable walking shoes or athletic shoes, socks, underwear. Select garments that can be easily washed / dried.


Beach and kayak expedition
swimsuits
beach towel
old sneakers/aqua shoes (optional)
Sunglasses
Sun block (SPF 15 or higher)
Hat (Baseball cap ok, but big brim is best)
Long-sleeved t-shirt for sun protection (optional)


Hiking Gear
1 fleece jacket
1 Gore-tex® outer shell (light rain parka)
1 rainpants (optional)
1 pair hiking boots (Broken in!!) (Light to medium weight ok)


Miscellaneous
1 camera (optional)
film (optional)
1 insect repellent (sandflies) – small amount consider buying locally together
1 Sunscreen (30 SPF)
1 qt/ltr water bottle
1 pack cover (optional)
1 Flashlight or headlamp
1 sunglasses

Other
1 nylon bag with toiletries, toothpaste/toothbrush, concentrated shampoo, concentrated soap, Chapstick® , small towel
Small binoculars, if you own them - great for birds
toiletries, cosmetics
Book(s)
Luggage
Backpack (day pack – plane carry on)

7. Assignments.

a. During the orientation session, various topics of special interest will be identified. You will be assigned a topic based on your academic or career interest and asked to prepare a brief presentation for the group prior to departure. This includes an initial review of the topic based on major references, such as included in the course pack, in the form of a Powerpoint presentation that follows the proposed outline of your paper. This outline may be modified later in consultation with the Prof. Schultink, and must be used to structure the paper in the form of (sub)headings.

b. Keep a daily journal of your program experiences. This is an opportunity to reflect on our daily activities and commit the most significant subject matter to memory. Typical entries should include a summary of lectures and field experiences as well as social and cultural activities associated with the program. This typically requires at least the equivalent of 2-3 (clearly) handwritten pages per day. The personal journal should be turned in as part of the course grade.

c. Prepare a comparative analysis (e.g. US and New Zealand) by selecting one of the topics, environmental issues, or management applications identified during our first meeting or by selecting a topic of YOUR special interest in discussion with course instructor. A paper (max. 15 pages) is due the middle of the term, unless special arrangements are made. Sources include the reference material supplied, references provided during the trip, and identified as research output and notes compiled during the site visits.

The paper

The paper topics below should be treated on a comparative basis, that is, draw a comparative perspective addressing key concepts, policies, practices and outcomes using references found in the course pack and orientation material, identified during the study tour and supplemented with references after your return.

A standard paper (4 credits) is about 15 pages in length (standard spacing), includes a title page, at least 10-15 relevant references, is well-structured (including sub-headings) and concise. Sources should be cited in the text or in footnotes, were appropriate and supplied at the end of the paper.

Potential topics (others may be considered in discussion with the instructor):
• NEW ZEALAND’S APPROACH TO USE OF SUSTAINBLE INDICATORS (Compare with the international Sust. Dev. Index (SDI) Initiative, the OECD initiative and the framework discussed in course pack)
• LAND USE PLANNING AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT (include discussion of land use planning framework, private and public property right and growth management strategies see also Ch 24)
• ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT (general comparative perspectives)
• USE AND IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW ZEALAND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT ACT
• THE TREATY OF WAITENGI AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR MANAGING NATURAL RESOUCES IN NEW ZEALAND
• ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY (various emphases e.g. water, air quality protection laws and standards – compare with EPA and European standards – including Ch. 22)
• ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT IN NEW ZEALAND (comparisons with NEPA and other Environmental Impacts regulations, i.e. E.C.)
• EVALUATION OF SEISMIC ACTIVITY AND VOLCANIC HAZARDS (E.G. Chapter 13 in Memon et al)
• ACTUAL AND POTENTIAL USE OF GEOTHERMAL RESOUCES (chapter 13)
• TOURISM AND RECREATION PLANNING IN NEW ZEALAND
• COASTAL ZONE AND FISHERIES RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (Chapter 19 and 23 – to be reproduced o request)
• WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT IN NEW ZEALAND (Chapter 17)

The Journal

A (copy of a) journal with daily entries summarizing field visits, lecture notes and other significant program activities is due the same time as the paper (see above). It also should include one significant daily interaction or interview with someone not directly associated with the program. This may be a hotel or institutional staff member or someone you met somewhere else – include the name of the person and brief summary of the type of interaction or discussion

Your participation

Participation reflects your interaction with all people associated with this program experience, such a lecturers, staff members, hotel and other company employees, fellow students and others. This includes adherence to expected codes of dress and conduct, and time lines articulated. Please note that unacceptable behavior may result in a warning or instant dismissal from the program.

The course grade

The course grade is based on the final paper and initial presentation (50%), your journal (30%) and participation (20%).

Continue to Part 2 - New Zealand