Wilderness is proud to announce the inaugural Shaun Barnett Memorial Scholarship as a tribute to leading tramping author and photographer Shaun Barnett. Open to aspiring photojournalists of all ages, the annual scholarship offers up to $1000 to the successful applicant in support of their backcountry adventures and creative development.

Please read all the information contained on this page before beginning your application. The application form is at the bttom of the page.

Who can apply?

• The scholarship is open to all Wilderness subscribers and any immediate family members living in the same household (i.e. children. There can be only one application per subscriber number)
• Aspiring adventure photojournalists of all ages can apply
• Existing Wilderness contributors can apply, provided they have not previously had an Off the Beaten Track or featured trip story published.

Scholarship criteria

To undertake an Off the Beaten Track-style tramping trip in New Zealand, write about it and provide supporting photographs for publication in Wilderness. You can find examples of OTBTs here.

Selection Criteria

1. The trip

• You will be the leader of the proposed trip
• The trip will be a multi-day tramping trip (minimum 3 days) within New Zealand
• The trip can be along marked and named tracks, a new take on an old classic, into a remote area, or a completely new route of your own devising. The story you wish to tell about the trip is the key to your application’s success. Read what makes a good story here.
• You must have all required permissions for your trip (think drone permits, private land access, hut tickets etc.) Wilderness may ask to see evidence of these.

2. The story

• The scholarship recipient will write a 2000-word Off the Beaten Track feature about their trip for exclusive publication in Wilderness. They will also have the opportunity to work with our editorial team to hone the content to a publishable standard. 
• Applicants should consider the angle or purpose of their story carefully when applying for the scholarship. Judges will be looking for a meaningful tale that will engage and inspire readers.
• Applicants will either have an interest in photography and be able to provide their own high-quality images of the trip, or they will be accompanied by a person who can provide these images. 
• The feature must be submitted within six months of winning the scholarship or within three months of completing the trip, whichever is sooner. 
• Payment for the story and photos will be at Wilderness’s usual editorial rates, in addition to the scholarship funds. Wilderness will publish the story within three months of completion of the final edits.

3. Use of funds

• Funds may be used for any costs related to the organisation and completion of the trip. Wilderness may ask to see receipts of how the funds were used. 
• The recipient will have up to six months to use the funds and submit their first draft. 
• If conditions are not met, the scholarship funding will be forfeited.

What you will need to fill out your application form

• An outline of your proposed trip (the ‘your trip’ section of the application form)
• A pitch, detailing the angle or aspects of the do you intend to write about
• A writing sample of between 350 and 1000 words
• A budget outlining how the funds will be used
• Up to three tramping photos (yours or those of the photographer you intend to invite to contribute to this undertaking). 

How and when can you apply?

• Applications are now open. Fill in the form below.
• The closing date for applications is 16 February, 2026.
• The winning recipient will be announced in the April 2026 issue of Wilderness.

Who was Shaun Barnett?

Shaun Barnett (1968–2024) was one of New Zealand’s leading outdoor writers, editors, historians and photographers. For more than 25 years, his words and images enriched Wilderness magazine, where he also served as editor and later as roving editor. His work combined deep personal experience with meticulous research and a lifelong passion for the backcountry.

Shaun’s writing and photography featured widely, including in Backcountry magazine, which he edited for a decade for the Federated Mountain Clubs. He authored or co-authored many influential books, among them Classic Tramping in New Zealand; Shelter from the Storm; A Bunk for the Night; Tramping: A New Zealand history; Day Walks in New Zealand and Across the Pass. His publications have inspired countless people to explore and appreciate Aotearoa’s wild places.

Trained in zoology, Shaun worked for the Department of Conservation before establishing a successful career as a freelance writer and photographer. He contributed to the Backcountry Trust, was a board member of Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa | New Zealand Geographic Board and a long-time volunteer trapper for Remutaka Conservation Trust. He was also a frequent tutor, judge and mentor of outdoor writing and photography.

Through his dedication, knowledge and creativity, more than anyone of his generation Shaun helped document, protect and celebrate New Zealand’s backcountry.

Why is Wilderness funding the scholarship?

At Wilderness, we want to inspire others to get into the outdoors. We also want to encourage people to share their experiences through writing and photography. This was Shaun’s passion, and we recognise the substantial contribution he made to Wilderness and the country’s tramping scene. We’d like to help foster those who want to follow in his footsteps, tread lightly on the environment, explore our wild places and inspire others with a fresh creative lens. 

Why is the scholarship only open to Wilderness subscribers?

We would like to support those who support us and believe in the work we do.
To write for Wilderness, it’s essential that you are familiar with the content we publish, and its style and tone. This includes Shaun’s many stories. Because our content is behind a paywall, you will need to subscribe to read these. For inspiration, view a collection of Shaun’s stories here.

We have monthly website plans for just $7.95. Your subscription must be active at the time the applications close. View subscription plans here.

After successfully completing the form below, receipt of your application will be acknowledged via email.