Welcome to
Beyond Aotearoa

Group-based international adventures for young people and first-time travellers. Dreaming big from the Waikato region, New Zealand.We are in the dreaming and scheming phase, exploring how overseas experiences can uplift those who are often left out of traditional exchange programmes, study abroad schemes, and travel opportunities.Our vision is simple: to create meaningful, supported travel experiences that are accessible, empowering, and community-driven.Whether you are curious, hopeful, or just want to chat, this is your invitation to help shape what comes next.

Who This Is For

We are reaching out to:

  • Young people who want to travel, but aren't sure where to start.

  • First-time travellers of any age who missed out on overseas adventures.

  • Youth workers, mentors, educators, and community leaders.

  • Funders, philanthropists, and sponsors who believe in bold, grassroots ideas.

  • Anyone who has ever asked: "Why doesn't something like this already exist?"

If that sounds like you, welcome! You're exactly who we want to talk to.

What Makes This Different

We are inspired by the amazing work of other organisations building bridges between Aotearoa and the world. We are not trying to reinvent the wheel.But we are asking: What about the rest of us?Here in the Waikato, especially in our rural towns, international opportunities can feel out of reach. Most of the Asia-focused networking events, exchanges, and promotions are based in Auckland or Wellington, and we understand why.We also know that many schools and universities offer incredible support for travel and fundraising.But what about young people who:

  • Did not thrive in school

  • Are currently NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training)

  • Haven't thought of international travel as something they can actually do

We want to build a new kind of pathway. A starting point.A door that opens through curiosity, courage, and connection - not just academic success.

More Than a Holiday

Our trips are about stepping into the world, not just passing through it.We will look for opportunities to:

  • Gain real-world work experience and make international connections

  • Explore business ideas and entrepreneurial pathways

  • Collaborate with local content creators and digital storytellers

  • Have real conversations in real neighbourhoods, not just stick to tourist zones

Of course, we will also make space for great food, spontaneous fun, and unforgettable moments. But the heart of these trips is growth, connection, and seeing the world and ourselves in new ways.

What We Will Do

Our trips are designed to be hands-on, purposeful, and full of learning. Together, we will:

  • Get hands-on experience in areas you care about. Before we even get on the plane, we will look at what kind of work or creative fields you're interested in, and line up practical, real-world experiences while we are overseas. If you have ever thought about teaching English in Asia, for example, we might arrange a visit to a local classroom where you can meet teachers, observe a few lessons, and even lead a short activity as a guest speaker. If you are curious about e-commerce, we will look for small businesses, markets, or digital creators you can learn from directly. It is all about turning interest into insight, and giving you a feel for what is possible.

  • Get confident on global digital platforms. You do not need a marketing degree to build a basic online presence. We will practise using international apps and tools to communicate, collaborate, and maybe even earn income.

  • Learn how to research, plan, and travel wisely. We will work as a team to find affordable flights, safe walkable areas to stay, and culturally respectful ways to move through the places we visit. No five-star hotels, just smart planning and real-world skills.

  • Build life skills that last. From budgeting and booking flights, to sorting passports, tourist visas, and travel insurance, we will support each other to figure things out. Step by step, snack by snack, with group chat vibes and good humour.

These experiences are designed to be practical, empowering, and fun, giving you tools you can use again and again, whether for future travel, study, business, or everyday life.

Funding the Dream

Let’s be real. International travel costs money. But it does not have to be out of reach.We plan to combine:

  • Grassroots, community-led fundraising

  • Online crowdfunding with powerful storytelling

  • Corporate sponsorships and business partnerships

  • Grant writing and philanthropic support

And here is the exciting part:With the right planning and a bit of hustle, the numbers are more doable than people think. All prices below are in New Zealand dollars.If we planned to go to China, for example:

  • Return flights from Auckland to Guangzhou can be found for under $900 during off-peak times, if booked in advance.

  • You can take a high-speed train from Guangzhou to Shanghai for around $100 one way and it travels at speeds of up to 300 km/h.

  • With a bit of local knowledge and insider tips, you can also find good private rooms with ensuite bathrooms in walkable neighbourhoods in Shanghai for around $45 per night.

Even one fundraiser, like a sausage sizzle outside Bunnings or Mitre 10, can raise $800 to $900 profit in a single day, after covering the cost of ingredients. That's one flight paid for with just a bit of teamwork and community support.This is not about waiting for a 'magic funder' to appear.It is about doing what we can with what we have, and building confidence, creativity, and financial literacy along the way.

Is it Safe to Take First-Time Travellers?

We get it. For some, the idea of travelling with young or less experienced people sounds risky, or even a bit scary.But here is our honest take:

  • No one will travel alone. All trips will be in small groups with a trusted, experienced guide.

  • We are committed to proper legal, safety, and risk management planning.

  • Every trip will include comprehensive travel insurance, clear documentation, and shared responsibilities.

  • We believe there is safety in numbers, and that many large cities in Asia are often safer than cities in Aotearoa.

We also travel with whanaungatanga (deep connection and mutual care) at the centre of everything we do.If you work in law, travel management, youth safety, or risk assessment and have wisdom to share, we would love to hear from you.This kaupapa is about doing it right, together.

Is this a Registered Charitable Trust?

Not yet, but we are exploring that pathway.Right now, we're in the early stages: testing the idea, listening to community, and building momentum step by step.If you are interested in helping us move forward, perhaps by joining an Advisory Board, offering mentorship, or sharing your knowledge over a coffee, we would absolutely love to hear from you.We chose to launch this website and social media presence early, so we would not have to repeat the same story in dozens of one-on-one conversations, and individual emails. Instead, we are inviting anyone who reads this page to reflect, share the link, and consider how you might want to be involved.You can express your interest in two ways:

Meet the Team

More info soon.

Let's Talk

We would love to hear from you. Let us know if you’re:

  • A young person who wants to explore the world

  • A community leader with wisdom to share

  • A funder, sponsor, or partner who sees potential here

  • Just curious and want to have a chat about this idea

You can also fill out a short expression of interest (EOI) form:

When Might the First Trip Happen?

Honestly? Possibly never, if there is not enough support.But if we gather the right people, partnerships, funding, and momentum, the earliest realistic departure for a first group trip would be mid–2026.This website is a seed, not a polished final product.It is an open invitation to help grow something bold and new.

Media Credits

All background images on this site are used under licence from iStock.We gratefully acknowledge the following photographers:Guilin, China - MediaProduction
Sunrise on karst mountains and the Li River in Guilin, Guangxi regionBeijing International Airport - PhotoTalk
A large airplane takes off from Beijing International AirportHongqiao Railway Station, Shanghai - ASMR
Shanghai Hongqiao SOHO architectureNanjing Road, Shanghai - Nikada
Crowds walk below neon signs on one of the world’s busiest shopping streetsWater Town, Jiangsu - Chunyip Wong
Scenes from Jiangsu Province, near Shanghai and SuzhouFormer French Concession, Shanghai - Nikada
A vibrant street scene with historic architecture and urban lifeLujiazui, Shanghai - Zhang Mengyang
Aerial photography of the modern skyline in Lujiazui, PudongNight Market, Kuala Lumpur - JimmyFam
Street hawker cooking clay pot chicken rice in MalaysiaWalkway Bridge, Asia - hallohuahua
Bright architectural scene of a business district pedestrian bridgeChongyuan Temple, Suzhou - JaCZhou
Aerial view of the temple at sunset with dramatic skyIf you are one of the photographers and would like to be credited differently, or if you have any questions, please get in touch using one of the contact forms linked above.