In July 2025, the Youth Climate Collective and Save the Children New Zealand co-hosted Aotearoa Youth COP 2025 at the University of Auckland. A diverse group of over 100 rangatahi came together to learn about the COP process and then take part in their own mock climate negotiations. From this event and the voices of the youth involved, the Aotearoa Youth COP Statement was drafted in order to share youth voices and shape pivotal climate policy.
The Aotearoa Youth COP Statement is a youth-led call to action - ensuring the voices of Aotearoa’s rangatahi are heard at home and on the world stage, including at COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
Generation Hope Youth Ambassador and attendee Lily, 15, said:
"Events like this give rangatahi like me a voice, an opportunity to discuss how we believe we can solve a collective problem without judgement or difficulty. We may not be the past, but we are the present and future, and the outcome of what we do now will impact us and future generations to come."
We thank all the rangatahi who participated in Aotearoa Youth COP 2025 and shared their views and experiences.
You can read the full Aotearoa Youth COP Statement below.
