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Youth Week 2024 Webinar
Date: 23 May 2024
Join us during Youth Week 2024 for an online panel celebrating the impact of five rangatahi leaders who have helped create change in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Please use this link to register: Webinar 2024
Facilitated by 2023 Generation Hope New Zealand youth ambassador and changemaker Aarthi, these inspiring young people will share their highs and lows over their journeys to becoming changemakers, as well as insights and tips on how to create change in your local community. This is an amazing opportunity to connect with and learn from these incredible rangatahi leaders and activists.
Hosted by Save the Children New Zealand, VOYCE Whakarongo Mai, Create Happy Media and Gen-Z Aotearoa, this exclusive event is supported by Ara Taiohi Youth Week 2024: ‘Māwherangi a tama roto ka taka, kāpuia ake ka pūrangiaho’ |‘We may not have it all together, but together we have it all’.
Meet our panellists:
Ethan Reille
Ethan Reille is a proud advocate for rangatahi. His journey into politics was born out of a deep-seated desire to be a voice for change. Fuelled by a passion for social justice and a belief in the power of collective action, he has fearlessly challenged the status quo, working tirelessly to dismantle barriers for young people and build bridges for all generations that unite, rather than divide. In 2021 he became the youngest public servant working for the Waitaki District Council at the age of 16, and by 2023 he was the youngest candidate in the General Election. What drives Ethan is the need for more diverse representation in our democratic systems. He believes that the status quo is not working, and the fight for change has never been more important.
Sylvie
Kia Ora! My name is Sylvie, I am in Year 12 and based in Tāmaki Makaurau. I am a youth advocate, driven by the vision of sparking change within the healthcare sector and championing social justice. Whether through advisory groups, charitable organisations, or community-based initiatives, much of my mahi is deeply rooted in empowering rangatahi and amplifying their voices. As a young changemaker, I aspire to lead and give back to my community, recognising that true impact comes from both action and compassion. By integrating my passion for creativity and service, I have held space for ideas to be brought to life and anything to become possible.
Quack Pirihi
Quack Pirihi is a rangatahi Māori activist working across community, youth, takatāpui, and climate action spaces! They are committed to creating a tomorrow that unapologetically holds our mokopuna with the love and mana we deserve.
Ihorangi Reweti Peters
Ihorangi Reweti Peters of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Tahu-Ngāti Whaoa and Ngāti Kahungunu descent is a care-experienced rangatahi on a mission. He grew up in the care of Oranga Tamariki - Ministry for Children, after experiencing horrific times, he wants to make sure all young people in care and with care experience, have the appropriate and timely access to mental health and well-being support to make sure they’re on a journey of healing and are safe.
Vira Paky
Vira is a first-generation Congolese-Kiwi raised in Tāmaki Makaurau and based in Te Whanganui-a-Tara. Vira is the Youth Engagement Co-ordinator at Save the Children NZ as she holds an Engagement and Community Development practice with a focus on youth and diverse communities, passionate about improving Aotearoa for future generations.
Vira is the 2023-2025 Auckland Council Youth Advisory Panel Co-Chairperson, Inspiring Stories 2023-2024 Youth Advisory Panel Member, and a 2023-2024 UNICEF Young Ambassador. Vira is also a Tāhono Trust Board Member, CreateHappyMedia Board Member, NZ Refugee Advisory Panel Member and the former Chairperson of the New Zealand National Refugee Youth Council.
Meet your MC:
Aarthi
Aarthi is passionate about amplifying the voices of young people across Aotearoa. She is a Wellington City Youth Councillor, Head Of TEDx Youth Paparangi, a former Generation Hope NZ ambassador, podcast host at Create Happy Media, and founder of Youth 4 Climate Action, her nonprofit organisation. Aarthi is also the community and events manager at Gen Z Aotearoa and has been a volunteer radio co-host at Voice of Aroha for two years now. Her inspiration stems from seeing other young people taking action on issues that matter to them. Aarthi believes in the power of storytelling to create understanding and empathy. She believes it is crucial to listen to the voices of young people as they are the ones inheriting the future.