A Legacy Donation from the YHA
In 2025, Untouched World Foundation received a significant donation from the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) as it closed its operations in New Zealand. In doing so, YHA chose to invest in organisations that would carry forward its kaupapa—supporting young people’s growth and honouring the pioneering legacy of its founder, Cora Wilding.
Untouched World Foundation is proud to be one of those organisations. This generous contribution is enabling us to expand opportunities for young people to connect with the natural environment and step into leadership for sustainability in Aotearoa.
To honour Cora Wilding’s legacy, we have launched three new initiatives that align closely with her belief in the power of nature, travel, and community to shape confident, resilient, and socially connected young people. Her work opened doors for generations to explore beyond their immediate circumstances and deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Through this donation, the Foundation is delivering year-long residencies for recent graduates, an annual award supporting young people to pursue leadership or environmental goals, and programme scholarships.
Cora Wilding Scholarships
To honour Cora Wilding’s commitment to ensuring young people have access to meaningful opportunities, the Untouched World Foundation offers Cora Wilding Scholarship positions across all of our programmes. These fully funded places are designed to remove financial barriers and enable rangatahi from a wide range of backgrounds to participate in transformative leadership and environmental experiences.
Scholarship recipients have the opportunity to take part in our foundation programmes at no cost. In return, recipients are invited to offer a reciprocal contribution that reflects their experience, such as a written reflection, creative response, community initiative, or social media engagement. This contribution helps share the impact of the programme and honours the investment made in supporting their journey.
Through these scholarships, Cora Wilding’s belief in the power of access, exploration and connection continues to open doors for the next generation of leaders.
Applicants can apply for a Cora Wilding Scholarship when they submit an application to attend the programme of their choice.
Cora Wilding Memorial Award
The Cora Wilding Memorial Award continues a long-standing tradition established by YHA New Zealand to support young people in pursuing opportunities that help them reach their potential. Each year, the award offers a total of up to $4,000 in funding. This may be awarded to one recipient, or shared across multiple recipients. Applicants may apply for funding between $1,000 and $4,000 to support initiatives that contribute to personal growth, leadership, and positive impact within communities.
Young people (16-26 years) may apply for support to undertake a professional development opportunity, such as attending a course or hui, or to lead a project that delivers meaningful sustainability outcomes within their kura or community.
Applications are open annually from 1 April to 30 May, with successful applicants notified on or around 30 June. Funded activities must take place within one year of the decision date. Recipients are asked to provide a short report and expense receipts following the completion of their project.
Through this award, we continue to honour Cora Wilding’s belief in empowering young people to explore new opportunities, grow in confidence, and contribute positively to the world around them.
Caleb Fraser, our current Cora Wilding Resident
Cora Wilding Residency
The Cora Wilding Residency is a 12 month paid position within the Untouched World Foundation that supports emerging leaders to take an active role in shaping the future of youth development and environmental education in Aotearoa.
The Resident works closely with the Untouched World Foundation team to contribute to the design, development and delivery of programmes, bringing fresh perspectives and lived experience into the work we do with rangatahi. This role offers a unique opportunity for a young leader to deepen their skills in facilitation, programme development and community engagement while contributing meaningfully to the Foundation’s mission.
The residency reflects Cora Wilding’s belief in empowering young people not only to participate, but to lead, collaborate and help create opportunities for others.
Our 2025/2026 resident is Caleb Fraser. A for the 2026/2027 Residency can be made at any time up until 30 June 2026. The recruitment process will run during July for an August/September start.
A Continuing Legacy
Through scholarships, leadership programmes and the Cora Wilding Residency, we aim to carry forward Cora Wilding's belief that access to nature, community and shared experiences can shape confident, capable and compassionate young people.
Cora Wilding's legacy lives on in every young person who gains the confidence to explore, lead and take action for a better future.
Tourists departing the Cora Wilding Youth Hostel, Richmond.
Girls line up for porridge at a Christchurch health camp, January 1936 — organised by Cora Wilding, founder of the Sunlight League of New Zealand, dedicated to improving the health and welfare of children.