Four standout students from Waitākere College joined over 200 rangatahi from around New Zealand at a United Nations Youth NZ conference over the school holidays.

The Aotearoa Youth Declaration is a 4-day conference held annually at Auckland University by UN Youth, a non-profit organisation focused on civic education.

Young people from across the country are tasked with putting their heads together to come up with solutions to some of the most pressing problems facing Aotearoa New Zealand. In group-based workshops, they discuss policy and advocate for change.

Waitākere College head prefect Lance Breva, along with Year 11 Social Studies students Eden McKay, Tenzin Pedersen Zari, and Mia Daniels, attended this year’s declaration, which focused heavily on social, cultural, and environmental challenges.

Lance and Eden were part of the Arts and Culture rōpū, which challenged students to think beyond conventional policy frameworks and consider how storytelling, heritage, and community identity inform decisions made by society.

Lance recommends more rangatahi take part in such opportunities. “It could be to advocate for youth voices, have more experience in civics, or even to push yourself in a new environment. The greatest places you can grow are places where you can be challenged and step out of your comfort zone,” he says.

Lance says his biggest takeaway came from guest speaker Dr Claire Achmad. The Waitākere-born Children’s Commissioner encouraged students to use their influence within their own bubbles to affect positive change.

Eden says she enjoyed getting to work with people her own age on problems faced by youth. “I found it very engaging and it was a very good use of my Easter break,” she says.

Her classmate Tenzin Pedersen Zari also found the experience challenging but rewarding. “Getting up early in the holidays was a small price to pay,” she says. “It also contributes to your communication and leadership skills.”

Mia Daniels, also Year 11, was assigned to the Healthcare rōpū to discuss potential government policies. “I found it was a bit challenging - especially as we touched on some difficult and sensitive subjects, but it was definitely worth going,” she says. 

“I got to work with people my own age and develop stronger teamwork skills. I would recommend it for teens across New Zealand that are interested in their voices being heard,” she says.

 - Mrs Dann, Social Studies teacher.