Elevating youth voices and empowering action

We were incredibly grateful to have rangatahi presenting across multiple sessions during our online conference. This page has links to information about our speakers, recordings of their presentations and links to related content.

Using creativity to tell stories and elevate their voices, we also share examples of tamariki and rangatahi who have taken part in programmes and competitions around the motu, with links to videos and resources that you can share with others.

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Rangatahi | Youth Panel
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Our afternoon session included a panel discussion, organised by Manatū mo te Taiao | Ministry for the Environment (MfE), and facilitated by Ginny Ellis - Karifi, with a focus on elevating youth voices and empowering and enabling access to nature for all young people.

Ginny is currently completing her Masters in politics at the University of Otago. She has worked closely with MfE and young people from across Aotearoa to develop a youth engagement framework that the Ministry can use when seeking youth input on government work.

She was joined by Shreejana Chhetri, Kathleen Derrick and Jaden Movold, who shared their experiences and advice for educators.

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Kate Laughter and David Vailala - Student Leaders

Young Leaders Sustainability Programme: Empowering Youth

‍In 2019 Auckland Council Sustainable Schools Team identified that there was a need for a programme that would empower Auckland’s rangatahi to actively practise kaitiakitanga and champion action for the environment now and for future generations. As a consequence, the Young Leaders Sustainability Programme was developed. Sustainable Schools, in partnership with local mana whenua, developed a three-year leadership programme that focuses on supporting youth to take action for the Manukau Harbour. Young leaders Kate and David will explore how the programme has engaged over 120 rangatahi in developing leadership skills and action competence informed by a Māori perspective to enable them to initiate authentic action projects to improve the health of the environment and their community.
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Kia ora my name is Kate Laughter. I am a Year 12 student attending Marcellin College. I joined the Auckland Young Leaders Sustainability Programme in 2021 and have also completed it this year. Since completing the programme I have joined the Puketāpapa Youth Foundation, Spoken Word (WORD - The Front Line), Young Vinnies and alongside David Vailala and Georgia Hay I co-founded the cultural justice group 'Don't Forget Your Roots'.

Malo e lelei my name is David Vailala. I am currently enrolled at Otahuhu College as a year 12 student. I first entered the Auckland Young Leaders Sustainability Programme as a year 11 student in 2021 and have since then also been a part of the program this year. I am currently in the school's boy band, I have been in our school's debating team, I have been involved with running and hosting special weeks (Tongan Language week, Cook Island Language week and Math week) and I am a prefect.

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Keegan Verster - Climate Leader

Climate Change Education and Wellbeing: With Understanding Comes Resilience

Student Keegan Verster joined Sian Carvell and Jenny Ritchie during their afternoon presentation. He shared his experiences of climate education and action over the last five years, including powerful messages about how important it is to empower young people with authentic actions.

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Creativity and Youth Voice

We shared examples of youth voice and creativity with a series of short videos. Click on the bold text below to watch the videos and find out more about these programmes that encourage young people to share their messages with others.

Lily Rumball, Sumner School, Yr 7-8 spoken word, Speaking 4 the Planet 2022     WATCH

Isla Hudson, St Mary’s College, 11-14 yrs, Young Reporters for the Environment, Keep NZ Beautiful    WATCH

Sophie Ineson, Southland Girls’ High School, 11-14 yrs, Young Reporters for the Environment, KNZB    WATCH

Remember your Atuatanga, Verses in Vision: Truths of Tāmaki, Action Education
Written and performed by Kaiya, Ava, Arahi, Piremina, Koromiko, Matariki and Manaia    WATCH

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