The Gift of the YHA

Continuing a Shared Legacy at Living Springs

For more than eighty years, the Youth Hostels Association (YHA) has been part of New Zealand’s story, a place where young travellers and families could find affordable, safe, and welcoming accommodation. But YHA was never just about a bed for the night. It was about opening doors to adventure, encouraging independence, and inspiring a deep love for the natural world.

From the very beginning, both YHA and Living Springs have shared the same spirit. Our stories were shaped by visionaries who believed in giving young people the chance to explore wild places, challenge themselves, and discover their place in the world. We have both built communities where friendships are forged, resilience is nurtured, and the beauty of the land is treasured.

When YHA made the difficult decision to close its doors in 2024, it marked the end of an era, but not the end of its legacy. In June 2025, Living Springs was honoured to become one of the major recipients of that legacy. Through a Deed of Gift, YHA entrusted us with $1,000,000 to invest in projects that will carry their mission forward for generations to come.

This extraordinary gift is funding two important upgrades at Living Springs. One is the complete transformation of a former staff house into an International Volunteer Hostel. Once home to a long-serving staff member and his family, the building is now being fully refurbished and reclad to provide safe, comfortable, and welcoming accommodation for young people from around the world who volunteer at Living Springs for six months to a year. These volunteers bring fresh energy, valuable skills, and cultural diversity, enriching the life of the camp and its community.

 

 

 

The gift is also enabling essential improvements to our three bunkhouses, the most used facilities at Living Springs. Over the past five decades they have welcomed hundreds of thousands of young people. With new bathrooms, modern joinery, and refreshed flooring, they will remain safe, comfortable, and inviting for the next fifty years, continuing to be a home away from home for the many groups who visit.

This gift honours the vision of YHA founder Cora Wilding, whose courage and commitment to young people continue to inspire. At Living Springs, we are proud to carry that torch, providing spaces where young people can grow, connect, and fall in love with the natural world.

Thanks to YHA’s generosity, their legacy will keep shaping lives. The adventure continues.