A Foundation for Change.
We partner with our sister brand Untouched World™ to create positive change for the planet, so a percentage of all Merinomink™ sales goes to the Untouched World™ Foundation to empower the next generation with leadership skills to foster a regenerative future.
We passionately believe that educating young adults on key issues facing society is how we can make the most positive impact on our world. By facilitating sustainability-focused programmes that unlock our young people's leadership potential, we can inspire them to become active change-makers who have the drive to make a real difference.
The Untouched World™ Foundation (UWF) delivers week-long field leadership programmes across New Zealand, engaging late secondary and tertiary students (aged 16-30) in groundbreaking, experiential learning based around regenerative practices. We also run Advanced Leadership (ALP) programmes with graduates.
Since its inception, the programme has graduated over 2000 students and developed key domestic and international partnerships, including the Department Of Conservation, Rata Foundation, Ministry of Youth Development and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s Global Action Programme (GAP).
We also have multiple local partner organisations in the regions where we operate from the private, public and NGO sectors.
Our Programmes
Our UWF programmes are specially designed to inspire and enrich our youth with leadership skills and knowledge through hands-on field work and teachings from experts. Our current programmes mainly focus on water and biodiversity, with an emphasis on cultural harmony and understanding.
Blumine Island Biodiversity
Blumine Island sits in the stunning Queen Charlotte Sound of the South Island and is home to several rare native bird species.
Since 2002, we have been working to restore Blumine Island to is original, predator-free state. We were excited to achieve that in 2010. The focus now, is to create and maintain a sanctuary for vulnerable native flora and fauna to thrive.
Over the course of the week, students are taught what needs to be done to help the island and how to achieve it, before being given full control to collectively plan and take action. Students learn valuable leadership skills, as well as cultural and conservational best practice in the context of biodiversity.
Waterwise Canterbury
Water is our most precious resource, and it is our job to protect it. Waterwise Canterbury gives students the opportunity to explore four primary issues relating to water: use, availability, quality and economics.
Students are exposed to, and interact with, all players in the water resource chain; from the primary energy players, through to the farming, recreation, cultural and conservation interests, all of whom are involved in sustainable water management.
Waterwise Canterbury allows students to develop their leadership skills and to learn how to turn their ideas into actions, while understanding how to better protect our water for future generations.
Waterwise Otago
Water is our most precious resource, and it is our job to protect it. Waterwise Otago gives students the opportunity to explore four primary issues relating to water: use, availability, quality and economics.
Students are exposed to, and interact with, all players in the water resource chain; from the primary energy players, through to the farming, recreation, cultural and conservation interests, all of whom are involved in sustainable water management.
Waterwise Otago allows students to develop their leadership skills and to learn how to turn their ideas into actions, while understanding how to better protect our water for future generations.
Ngā Tupuranga O Te Taitokerau
Ngā Tupuranga o Te Taitokerau takes place in Waitangi and aims to inspire and nurture Northland's youth on the sustainable future of their rohe and its people.
Students will learn about everything from water quality to climate change, while creating a space where multiple world views and cultures are shared, valued and incorporated into our future leaders' mindsets.
Hands-on field work is at the forefront, encouraging leadership and team work to create rounded experiential learning.
Advanced Leader Programme (ALP)
The Advanced Leadership Programme takes graduate students from our field programmes and further develops their leadership skills, effectively stair-casing them into further education or employment. Deliberately designed for 15 (rather than 30 participants, this enables both customised work individually (I Am Capable), and as a collective (We Are Capable) outcome based tuakana student-led design. The primary purpose of these programmes is to build bold personal ambition and encourage acts of leadership within the community.