Participating as a kaiāwhina for the week gives you an opportunity to be a valuable part of the team, and the heart of Dance Camp. There is a wonderful reciprocity of giving and receiving.

Kaiāwhina means “assistant”, and as such you are an important part of the team for Dance Camp Aotearoa. Each year we offer around 6 positions. Kaiāwhinas work up to 4 hours a day during Camp, in return getting a half-price camp ticket. This allows a balance between work and joining in with Dance Camp activities. Some of our kaiāwhina return year after year. Kaiāwhina who are attracted to be part of Camp are often a hard working group from Aotearoa and different countries and cultures. They usually create a close knit group, working together and sharing the camp experience.

Each kaiāwhina is supported by a Key Role Holder who oversees the specific aspect of camp the kaiāwhina position contributes to.

What we ask of kaiāwhinas:

Arrive at 3pm on Wednesday (two days before Camp starts) unless you are helping to put up the marquee in which case you need to come Tuesday morning (11am). Some volunteers will be asked to help prepare simple meals during this time. 

Thursday we complete camp set-up. This is a big day when we all help get camp ready and have a little rest before Friday 2pm (open for participants to arrive). Breakfast is at 8am each day prior to camp, followed by a meeting at 9am for everyone present to allocate jobs for set-up days and show you your particular kaiāwhina task.
For the rest of camp, kaiāwhina have specific duties to perform each day.

On the final day of camp, kaiāwhina need to help until the end of camp clean-up, usually around 5pm.
Kaiāwhina are generally required to supply your own tent and bedding .

How to Apply?

If you would like a kaiāwhina position contact the core group at: nzdancecamp@gmail.com

Be quick! There are limited positions available and they tend to fill fast.  The terrain and practical nature of the camp roles require that you are of a reasonable level of fitness, mobility and stamina to comfortably fulfil your role.