Change your scene and become a VSA Volunteer and share your experience, knowledge, and skills to transform the lives of many. Work with our partner organisation to create a fair future for all. 

VSA will organise and fund, flights, visas, insurance, accommodation, living allowance and utilities while on assignment. 

Please note VSA Volunteers must be a NZ citizen or permanent resident. 

Volunteering with VSA 

Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) is not your typical volunteering agency, we are committed to building sustainable communities across the Pacific.

If you’re an experienced Veterinary Nurse, looking for an extraordinary overseas experience in the Pacific to build into your field of expertise – working collaboratively with the MAFF and TAWS, then read on, as we have an exciting opportunity in store for you!

Our Partner Organisations - The Tonga Animal Welfare Society (TAWS) & the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests (MAFF). 

Prior to COVID-19, the South Pacific Animal Welfare (SPAW) visited Tonga four times per year providing de-sexing programmes and some animal surgery. The SPAW team only recommenced its schedule to Tonga this year. 

The Tonga Animal Welfare Society (TAWS) was established in 2020 by a group of residents who came together to become the voice for animal welfare in Tonga, and to help support the community with challenges they face when it comes to animal care.

The organisation is now a registered NGO, with each of the volunteer Board members giving their time to the operation and logistics of the organisation, and also to animal rescue and welfare. 

TAWS works with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests (MAFF), SPAW, and the community to assist with animal care. 

The Assignment

This assignment is a partnership assignment between VSA and the Tonga Welfare Society and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forests. 

This VSA assignment is seeking a trained vet nurse who can carry out basic tasks (in line with Vert Nurse guidelines) at the clinic and who can also train TAWS volunteers who are carrying out essential animal welfare tasks in Tonga.

The training would include First Aid for animals, the steps to take when an animal is injured, and minor wound care. The VSA volunteer would also support the volunteers at the TAWS pop up clinics and at the TAWS shop (when available) to give advice to community members on flea treatment, skin condition, worming, parvo vaccinations and the like. 

The Volunteer

Are you someone who wants to make a difference, have a sense of adventure and like the challenge of being outside your comfort zone? VSA Volunteers are technical experts who impart their skills and knowledge to the local community. You will need to be flexible, adaptable, resourceful, resilient with a passion for Aotearoa and the wider Pacific community.

We're looking for a volunteer with the following:

•  Veterinary Nurse Qualification. 
•  Experience in training and mentoring 
•  Ability to provide technical advice on basic animal care. 
• Good front of office and data collection/surveillance skills. 
• Experience in delivery of education programmes, particularly to children. 
• Dedication, compassion and love of animals. 
• Approachable, straight forward and kind. 
• Clear and concise presentation of advice. 
• Interested in Tongan culture and willing to learn about different cultural practices. 
• Acceptance that some of the animal welfare practices in Tonga are below world standard. 

The Country

The Kingdom of Tonga consists of 176 islands in four major groups, Tongatapu Island group, Ha’apai Island group, Vava’u Island group, and the Niu Island group. These islands form a narrow archipelago extending north from the Tropic of Capricorn.

There are many natural wonders in Tonga, and it is also one of the only places in the world where you can swim with humpback whales.

Apply Now!

Apply for this amazing opportunity through our website. For more information on this assignment, email volunteer@vsa.org.nz.

To review the full assignment description please copy and paste the below link into your browser:

https://vsa.org.nz/assets/Assignment-Descriptions-2019-2020/2023/October2023/Veterinary-Nurse-standard-TON41913.pdf

If you are on the VSA website, please click on the download assignment description tab above.