Y25 2024

Alis Bouma

Alis’ story begins in the countryside of Kirikiriroa/Hamilton, in a big tight-knit Dutch family who encouraged her passion for equity and discovering how things work. As a multi-talented transgender wāhine in STEM, she uses her gifts to engineer a better world. Alis is passionate about tackling the climate crisis, particularly by finding alternatives to capitalism and reducing car dependency through urban design. She is deeply curious about the world, looking at it from an engineer’s perspective, envisioning solutions to make the planet better for its inhabitants. Now completing her final year as a mechanical engineering student at the University of Waikato, her capstone project aims to improve beach accessibility for wheelchair users. Alis consistently pushes herself to hone new skills, recently starting to learn to play violin, keyboard, and synthesizers. When she’s not creating through music, crafting objects with a 3D printer or dreaming about outer space, she’s pursuing the skills needed to become a science communicator – to invoke passionate lifelong curiosity in others and to help them understand why sustainable, intersectional solutions are urgently needed.

Annafinau Eseta Ponita Tukuitoga

Niuean-Fijian Annafinau is a rising country music/ bluegrass star who received the Creative New Zealand ‘Arts, Culture and Creativity Award' at a ceremony for the Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards at the Beehive in 2022. Annafinau’s music has resonated in spaces across Aotearoa, which was acknowledged in the title she was given as ‘New Zealand Country Music Youth Ambassador’ by the PM. This bright afine Niue is a testament to the warrior women who raised her. From her beautiful Nan to her incredible Mum, she often says that the strong women in her life shaped her world and that she wouldn't be who she is without them. This role model is also inspiring others and two years ago she travelled up and down Aotearoa encouraging rangatahi to explore their musical identities and consider country music as there is so much scope for storytelling in this genre. Annafinau is also a champion for her endangered Niue language bringing its beautiful phrases to her lyrics and melodies. Annafinau was also selected as the Youth Ambassador to Hawaii as part of the NZ delegation attending the 13th Arts & Cultural Festival held in Hawaii in June 2024. Annafinau's role in this space is to bring the voice of young Pasifika people living in New Zealand to the region.

Eda Tang

This gifted storyteller and journalist investigates and shares important stories from underserved communities across Aotearoa. Writing is in Eda’s bones. Her compelling pieces have featured in The Spinoff and Ensemble. She previously served as a Pou Tiaki Journalist at Stuff, delving into stories spanning te ao Māori, arts, health, culture, language, and education. Eda writes and hosts “Āku Hapa!”, a Māori language TV show slated for broadcast on Whakaata Māori in 2024. While completing her BA Honours at the University of Auckland, she co-edited 23 issues of Craccum, the student magazine. This incredible life-long learner is currently studying te reo Māori at Level 6 through Te Wānanga o Aotearoa to continue understanding her being as Tangata Tiriti. To support her passion for learning, she also teaches music and te reo. As a second-generation Chinese New Zealander, it’s important to Eda to amplify Aotearoa's rich Chinese heritage, evolving culture and community languages. She captures oral histories to reveal the long-standing impact of New Zealand’s anti-Chinese laws. With a desire to strengthen communities, she was a facilitator for Migrant Zine Collective, and is an archivist and workshop facilitator for Satellites, a kaupapa connecting Asian artists in Aotearoa.

Grace Fakahau

Proud of her Tongan roots, Grace likes to roll her sleeves up and look for leadership roles in grassroots initiatives. This compassionate wahine, who grew up in Palmerston North, believes in the power of collective action and is driven by the principles of social justice and the power of a village. From being Head of Communities at Palmerston North Girls High School, then Head Girl at Amanaki STEM Academy, Grace has servant leadership in her bones. Standing strong in the values instilled in her by her family, she’s committed to championing inclusivity, diversity, and the decolonization of spaces. From leading climate marches to advocating for marginalized communities, this fireball pushes for better - for communities, places, spaces and the planet. Currently studying Law, Public Policy and Pacific Studies at Te Herenga Waka / University of Wellington, she’s focused on humanitarian and criminal justice law. She's also a law tutor, the former chairperson of the Palmerston North Youth Council providing platforms for impactful community kōrero and youth advocacy, plus she has interned with Treasury. Alongside study and advocating, this incredible trailblazer’s also working with Manatū Mō Te Taiao / Ministry for the Environment. Grace’s grandmother is very proud of her!

Isobella-Rose Kenney

Bella (Ngāpuhi) is a child’s rights champion who wears many hats — she's a māmā, a Victim Support warrior, and a dedicated member at VOYCE Whakarongo Mai, serving on Te Tai Tokerau Youth Council. She’s unapologetic about the impact state care has had on her life and is always advocating to make sure those around her don’t have the same experiences, whether she’s keeping the care community connected through tūhono events or on the front-line in her mahi with Victim Support. A dedicated listener, she has a deep desire to ensure people feel care and love, and a sense of safety and calm during life’s toughest situations. In 2023, Bella stood tall among VOYCE's Summit's 12 young leaders, playing a pivotal role in presenting the Six Promises Petition to Parliament. She is no stranger to the spotlight if advocacy is involved and her heartfelt speech at the summit inspired younger leaders to rise above adversity and make their voices heard. With determination and grit, she's working hard in the fight for a better, more just world for children in care, blazing a trail to ensure that others don't face the same struggles. She's an inspiring role model for her daughter.

Jeri Misa

Jeri is a fierce advocate and community champion on a mission to give marginalized voices a megaphone and level the playing field. Growing up in Manurewa, South Auckland, Jeri experienced firsthand the challenges faced by her community, spurring her passion for social justice and empowerment. When she's not hitting the law books at the University of Auckland, Jeri's out there in the trenches, fighting systemic injustices head-on. She's part of the team at Youthlaw Aotearoa, where her legal nous help rangatahi navigate the maze of legal stuff with ease. She believes in legal advocacy as a tool for change. This young leader also serves as the Chairperson at the Manurewa Youth Council, making sure local rangatahi are heard, and listened to. Her leadership was instrumental in organizing the groundbreaking 'South Auckland Future Fest,' the region's inaugural careers expo, where she advocated for youth empowerment amidst a cost-of-living crisis. As a Southeast Asian immigrant, Jeri knows what it's like to battle stereotypes and hurdles, fuelling her passion for giving a voice to the underdogs. Whether she's with the Citizen's Advice Bureau or rallying the troops at the Youth Council, Jeri's on a mission to make Aotearoa a fairer, more inclusive place for everyone.

Kayla Schwalger

Growing up feeling disconnected from her cultural roots, Kayla navigated the complexities of her identity as a young tama'ita'i Samoa in a Westernized society while grappling with her mental health. As a neurodiverse wahine navigating life with Borderline Personality Disorder, Kayla brings a unique perspective to her advocacy work and creative endeavours and writes all about it on her blog 'The Worst of Kayla'. Her first-hand experience of confronting the mental health stigma within Pasifika communities ignited her passion to empower youth to rediscover and embrace their Pasifika heritage. She's all about dismantling generational cycles and uplifting Pasifika culture to foster healing and is the co-founder of Tapasā - Navigating Futures - a platform that empowers Pacific youth to uplift their mental health by reconnecting with their cultures. Currently studying her Masters at AUT with her thesis: "Navigating Mental Health in the Digital Age - Insights from Young Samoans and Their Communities.” Kayla also freelances as a website designer, artist, copywriter, and photographer. This trailblazer’s kaupapa is to educate others on the enduring effects of migration and colonization while highlighting support and opportunities for Pasifika youth to make waves for future generations.

Lena Ormsby

Lena (Waikato Maniapoto, Ngāpuhi) is a proud wahine Māori on a mission to shake up the status quo and ensure ethnic minorities have equal opportunities in and out of the classroom. Since 2021 she’s stepped into leadership at the Hastings District Youth Council, both chairing in 2022 and advising in 2023. She’s also been one of eight youth representatives on Rito o te Paremata - Parliament's Youth Reference Group – and is chair for 2024. Lena's been pushing for better ways to get rangatahi involved in the political process. From launching campaigns to plastering the country with infographics, she's all about reminding rangatahi that their voices matter. Currently studying a conjoint of Law and Global Studies - majoring in Human Rights and Global Politics– she's also igniting passion for public speaking. Being involved in National Race Unity (snagging the 2023 National Runner Up and the prestigious Tohu Eke Panuku - Human Rights Commission Award for Impact), Lions Foundation and Ngā Manu Kōrero competitions have greatly influenced her curiosity for cultural unity. This trailblazing political superstar believes standing alone accomplishes little compared to the work achieved through a collective.

Lola Fisher

Growing up in the digital age, Lola noticed online platforms often misrepresented the voices of rangatahi. Then she had a great idea. She decided to start a digital media platform to amplify youth voices and give rangatahi, aged 10-24, a chance to share their perspectives and stories across Aotearoa. Lola co-founded Create Happy Media in 2022 at the age of 13! Two and a half years on, over 60 youth journalists have joined the cause, publishing more than 260 articles. This amazing young entrepreneur’s 'why' is anchored in ensuring that the voices of tamariki and rangatahi are never sidelined. Now working fulltime on Create Happy Media, Lola continues to redefine what it means to tell stories, firmly believing in the power of community and working hard to create spaces where young journalists can contribute meaningfully. She also channels her big heart into youth-focused initiatives. As a co-founder of Gen-Z Aotearoa, Lola works with activists, leveraging social media to amplify Gen-Z voices, build on-the-ground work, and collaborate with organisations. She is the Communications Co-Lead for Make It 16, and in 2023, was a Youth Ambassador for Save the Children NZ.

Malisha Munidasa

Community is in Malisha's DNA, a beautiful blend of Sri Lankan and West Auckland vibes. This first-generation Kiwi-Sri Lankan wahine is all about supporting rangatahi and bridging cultural gaps. Since 2023, she's been co-chair of the Whau Youth Board, a West Auckland hotspot for rangatahi empowerment. Malisha's kaupapa focuses on unlocking the potential of young people and has worked on projects like YouthFest and Youth Awards. Her parents’ journey to give Malisha’s family a better life instilled a deep sense of gratitude and drive. Feeling the tug of being a first-gen immigrant, Malisha also co-founded Duality, a group supporting Sri Lankan youth in Aotearoa, aiming to smash invisible barriers and create a community. She founded the Desi Girls Society at her university this year, creating a safe space for South Asian women and hosting fun social events. Dreaming big, Malisha also wants to start a non-profit in Sri Lanka in the future and dive into humanitarian work. She is currently studying a Civil & Environmental Engineering degree at the University of Auckland. This big-hearted trailblazer also enjoys her random side quests. She once signed up for a wakeboarding session when her only past experience was playing it on Wii (= falling many times!).

Mairingi Kete

As the first granddaughter on both sides of her whānau, Maringi (Ngāti Mahuta ki te hauāuru, Ngāti Maniapoto, and Te Whakatōhea) carries the wisdom and legacy of her kuia, reflecting a deep sense of responsibility to her people. From her roots in the King Country, this wahine Māori has embarked on a path of self-discovery, reclaiming her Māoritanga, reo, and whakapapa. In 2022, Maringi created the ‘Gumboots up the Maunga’ campaign with her cousins, climbing four maunga to raise awareness of mental health challenges for rangatahi, reminding them ‘there’s hope, despite life’s challenges.’ While studying for a Bachelor of Law (majoring in Law and Strategic Management), she co-founded Te Ahoroa, the first Māori law student magazine in the motu. She is the first in her family to graduate and has been admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Maringi’s passion for environmental stewardship and indigenous rights took her to Brazil as a recipient of the Prime Minister's Latin America Scholarship. Her vision for a future where tangata and taiao thrive in harmony guides her work as a Resource Management Lawyer, empowering mana whenua to fulfil their responsibilities as kaitiaki on their whenua.

Matakorama Waipouri

Matakorama Matire Waipouri (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Raukawa, Te Aupouri, Te Rarawa), is a big-hearted young wahine working hard to make spaces and places more accessible for the communities she represents. In a world where ableism is rife, Matakorama knows how to teach people through her actions to stop, listen and recognise what other people’s needs are rather than make assumptions. Living with Cerebral Palsy Spastic Diplegia and Global Developmental Delay, she knows what it’s like to have both physical and cognitive challenges. She’s also a champion for rangatahi. Matakorama has been a member of the Consumer Council, Manurewa Youth Council. I. Lead NZ, Youth Law Aotearoa, plus she’s had an advisory role on the Ministry of Education Te Mahau Advisory for Young People with Disabilities. From a young age, Matakorama underwent many operations and once she got to her teen years, got involved in sports, keeping her active and finding new edges of her physical capacities as a participant in disability sport organisations. She likes to compete in athletics and kayaking. But it's not just the mahi – Matakorama also loves to journal, read poetry, go shopping and spend time with whānau including hanging with her dogs Dealie and Rusty.

Mele 'Ofa-Ki-Vila Mafi

Hailing from the Kingdom of Tonga, Mele is a trailblazer in STEM, bringing her passion for indigenous knowledge and leadership qualities with her. Born in Aotearoa and raised in Tonga by a remarkable single mother alongside her sister, Mele excelled academically, securing a scholarship to study engineering in Aotearoa after being Dux in Year 13. Currently serving as the President of the South Pacific and Indigenous Engineering Students Incorporated Society (SPIES) at the University of Auckland creating opportunities for aspiring Māori and Pasifika engineers through partnerships with engineering companies. Mele’s finding ways to support rangatahi curious about STEM. She’s tutored high school students through Pacific Academy and has been an Apollo program teaching assistant supporting year 12 students with Calculus and transitioning to uni. In February 2024, Mele was invited to join the Māori and Pacific engineering research centre as a research assistant, including a trip to Tonga. As a key advisor, Mele drew on her cultural knowledge and language to facilitate meaningful discussions to help to address challenges in the research space for the Pacific Region. She is currently working at Mott Macdonald as a graduate Civil Engineer.

Nat Young

Nat (Kai Tahu, Waitaha Ngati Mamoe) doesn’t know anyone from the LGBTQ+ community who hasn’t had a bad experience when it comes to healthcare. Knowing this adversely affects both mental and physical health and particularly for young people, Nat decided to do something about it. While studying for their Masters in Health Science and a Bachelor’s in Nursing, Nat joined a competition, ‘The Future of Health Challenge’, to come up with an idea to help reduce inequity. That’s when this non-binary, queer legend had a brainwave to create a peer-reviewed website for the LGBTQ+ community. Co-founded in 2022, PEERS houses a database of rainbow-friendly healthcare providers, increasing access to better healthcare for one of Aotearoa’s vulnerable communities. This passionate changemaker is also a registered nurse who loves to be able to make people’s day ‘just a little bit better’. Having experienced negative responses to being an out and proud queer person in private and professional settings, Nat is determined to make a positive difference to patient’s lives, especially those from their community. This generous leader also acts as a support person for a young man with autism, helping him learn important skills to navigate life on his own.

Noēll Ratapu

Noēll Ratapu (Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaki) has been creating art all her life using photography, painting, drawing and more recently digital tools. It’s provided this talented wahine with an outlet for creativity and self-expression and has also been a powerful tool to communicate and connect with others, sharing her unique perspective as a queer, disabled, indigenous woman. Currently living in Southern California as a medical refugee (Noēll’s whānau moved there to get life-saving treatment not available in Aotearoa) her striking self-portraits and abstract art has been featured in galleries and online, extending her artistic journey and connecting with a wider audience. Her work has also been featured on the D*List. Noēll has a degenerative disability called Spinal Muscular Atrophy and she lost the ability to walk at age 11, experiencing much of life using a wheelchair. Growing up in a small beach town, Tairāwhiti, there wasn’t much visibility of people with disabilities and this experience has fuelled her advocacy for disability rights, passionately speaking up for herself and those not in the room. This creative changemaker is also an advocate for LGBTQIA+ Equality, Sexual Abuse Awareness, Mental Health Awareness, and New Zealand’s Medicine Crisis.

Rosa Hibbert Schooner

E rere kau an ngā mihi ki a koutou! He mokopuna tēnei nō Te Arawa rātou ko Ngāti Whakaaue, ko Ngāti Awa. I tipu ake au i raro i te korowai manaaki o Aoraki ki Te Wai Pounamu. Rosa has been an activist since she was at kura, when she was one of the only Māori ākonga in her year and had to quickly learn the complexities of inequity and colonialism. At uni in Ōtautahi / Christchurch this passionate wahine joined the Māori student movement, advocating for kotahitanga. Rosa was the first in her family to learn te reo and visit her marae, and she draws on the beauty of te ao Māori in her activism, unleashing atua. Her drive for equity for Māori has led her to Te Ō, City Mission in Te Whanaganui a Tara / Wellington where she works hard to end rangatahi homelessness. This multi-faceted wahine is also a poet, kaihaka, māra kai creator and lover of pūrākau. Using her art and creativity, Rosa listens to the wisdom of Hina, knowing she has everything in her kete to succeed and surrounds herself with her village. She aims to be the tupuna she needed when she was younger.

Rosalie Norton

Lehali is the stage name for 19-year-old Kirikiriroa born, Rosalie Norton. Her Nana came from a small village called Lehali on the island of Ureparapara, Vanuatu, which is the inspiration behind the artist name for this multi-faceted musician. This wahine draws inspiration and strength from her whakapapa, to express and articulate her story, culture and experiences through music. In March 2023, Rosalie released her debut album ‘Growing Pains’, which she wrote, played and produced in her own bedroom! The album explores growing up, navigating life and her identity. She also just released her first big single called ‘Company’ and the music video was funded by NZ On Air. But music’s not the only string to Rosalie’s bow. At 16, Rosalie became TEDxRuakura's youngest speaker. From there she went on to speak at events and facilitate workshops for youth, through her business, mindbox.nz, which she founded in 2020 to offer hauora workshops and products for youth. Youth advocacy is also important to Rosalie who is a member of many boards across the motu, including Seed Waikato, Inspiring Stories Youth Advisory Group, University of Waikato Student Union Pacific Director, The Hive and Co-Chair of the Waikato Regional Council’s Youth Council.

Rutendo Shadaya

At just 16, Rutendo's already making waves as a self-published author. What began as an idea at nine years of age for a fantasy book about powers, weaving in her creative imaginative ideas, is now shaping up to be a trilogy as she works on her third book. With roots in both Aotearoa and Zimbabwe, her spellbinding books, "Rachel and The Chevene Pirates" and "Rachel and The Enchanted Forest," aren't just stories — they're journeys of empowerment, representation, and positive change. Being a self-published author has its challenges, from getting the word out to battling age-related roadblocks, but Rutendo hasn't let that stop her. She's all about resilience and grit, facing obstacles head-on with grace and tenacity. But this wahine is not just about writing. Hailing from Tokoroa, she is a community champion advocating for literacy, representation, and enabling rangatahi, especially those of colour. From press interviews to pitching in with the Young Enterprise Scheme, this talented changemaker is a role model in her community, inspiring other young people. She's on a mission to spread the joy of reading and writing far and wide, from Aotearoa to Zimbabwe and beyond.

Sahana Rahman

Sahana believes that staying true to your authentic self is a powerful choice, often leading to favorable outcomes. This dedicated artist and honours graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Massey University, College of Creative Arts Toi Rauwhārangi, has found a way to combine creativity, community and culture into her mahi. Sahana is of Bangladeshi/Sri Lankan Tamil heritage and grew up in Te Whanganui-a-Tara/Wellington, now based in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland. Studying her childhood passion of art led her to reconnect with her cultural heritage and explore indigenous art forms. Her creative practice delves into her lived experiences with multi-hyphenated identities, decolonisation, life events, healing, and spirituality. Then these themes are conveyed through multimedia, especially embroidery, textiles, and painting. Sahana now runs workshops on Nokshi Katha, a fading Bengali tradition where women gather to embroider narratives onto fabrics and upcycled sarees to form a collective piece. This beautiful tradition centred around open conversation and community healing was lost amongst the demands of fast fashion. Sahana is breathing life into it and aspires to be a full-time artist, serving her communities by bringing people together to share healing art practices.

Sanskruti Banerjee

Sanskruti, born to a Tamilian mother and Bengali father, creates a vibrant tapestry fusing activism, creativity, and leadership. Her nickname, Pataka (firework), reflects her drive to blaze a path toward an equitable world. As Vice-President for UNYOUTH, she coordinated their 550-person flagship event, empowering rangatahi in civics education through interactions with politicians, communities, and activists. Studying Law & Commerce, she is a 2024 Dean’s Leadership Award recipient. Sanskruti has MC-ed panels, featured on podcasts, guest-lectured, and presented at the national TOAH-NNEST conference on consent & sexual violence activism. An established journalist having been an editor for Craccum magazine, she also explores feminism & South Asian culture through poetry. As a professional dancer, Sanskruti expresses untold narratives of her whakapapa through movement. Her ambition is driven by a desire to be the representation her younger self needed. Upcoming projects include a podcast, a poetry book and a South-Asian Collective called “Jhumka Journey.” Most importantly, Sanskruti’s a changemaker, constantly seeing the world not for what it is, but what it can be.

Sara Youseff

Sara describes herself as a giving-back addict. Born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, this trailblazing Muslim wahine aspires to be a successful C(Executing)O, helping others live better lives. Sara grew her love and passion for people from an early age, leading her to work with teams to align, grow, and embark on successful, sustainable journeys. She held senior leadership positions at the University. As President of the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Student Association and Council Member at AUT for 2022 & 2023, serving 28,000+ students, she co-created and led the strategy and te Tiriti work. This incredible wahine toa is currently working as a Management Consultant at Nimbl Consulting. In her spare time she advocates for the values of humanity, human rights and our future generations, with a caramel latte in hand. Sara co-founded Sisterhood ANZ, a network of community women across NZ and Australia, and co-chairs the National Islamic Youth Association (NIYA), leading their outreach programme around the motu and other community events. Otherwise, you will find her at clear water beaches, and hiking mountains.

Tara Shepherd

Since age five, Tara’s been dedicated to disability advocacy, particularly in education with assistive technology & inclusion. Being from Westport built her deep passion for the environment, & coming from an at-risk coastal town motivated Tara to learn about emergency management. In 2019, Tara secured $1 million for the Hector legacy landfill remediation project. At 19, she became Waste Management Coordinator for the local council during the '100-year flood' in Westport 2021, where she wrote, initiated, and coordinated the removal of flood-affected waste, establishing the original template for NEMA. Environmental concerns run deep in this big heart. Tara’s also the Co-President of the National Disabled Students’ Association (NDSA) and participates in groups like Te Poutāhū Disability Voices focusing on the 2026 curriculum refresh. She’s part of NZ Health Group’s Whakapuāwai taskforce, MoE youth advisory group member & national executive committee member for the Disabled Person’s Assembly (DPA). In her final year at University of Otago, Tara’s the 2024 Welfare & Equity officer for the Students’ Association. Advocacy drives Tara, who aims to foster collaboration, change, and amplify young diverse voices.

Tayla-Cade Petera-Gerrard

Raised by a wonderful teen mama hailing from Te Tai Tokerau me Te Tairawhiti, Tayla (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Porou) is an amalgamation of her ancestors' wildest dreams and is now a bright role model and older sister to her sibling crew. Driven and passionate, her kaupapa is all about making places and spaces better. At Te Herenga Waka/Victoria University of Wellington, where Tayla studied a Bachelor of Political Science and Māori Indigenous Studies, her dream of helping young people and communities really grew and led her into her current work at the university supporting Māori into Tertiary studies and helping them find where they belong. Community welfare in underserved areas is a big part of Tayla’s drive for system change. Having worked for the Ministry of Social Development, where she shared her energy, strategic mind and ace problems solving skills to make the world better, this champion for indigenous communities leads with service to others. She likes to remind people, "it costs you nothing to be kind to someone else.” Tayla is fuelled by the whakataukī: He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.

Te Kahukura Boynton

Te Kahukura (Ngāti Kahungunu, Tūhoe, Te Whakatōhea) is an inspiring founder and director. She is most well-known for hosting the brilliant Māori Millionaire Podcast, and with over 90 episodes, she is on a mission to empower whānau and rangatahi to become financially independent. Māori Millionaire is more than a podcast, her business is an education platform that teaches people how to better manage their money, invest, and start their own businesses too. This young trailblazer is deeply passionate about creating change for under privileged communities and reducing the wealth gap. Te Kahukura believes that by improving our financial resources, indigenous communities worldwide could live authentically as indigenous peoples, without the need for support from the Crown. Te Kahukura's favourite saying is "It's not about buying Gucci bags, it's about buying land back."

Una Kinajil-Reding

Through advocacy and personal engagement, Una aims to create a world where everyone, regardless of ability or identity, can pursue athletic aspirations and feel part of a team. This gender-fluid athlete with Erb's Palsy campaigns for better inclusivity in sports. Their experience growing up in the gender binary and having impeded movement in their arm has fueled their passion for supporting transgender and gender-diverse athletes and empowering those with disabilities. Now studying software engineering at Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka/University of Otago, Una sees sport as crucial for broader societal inclusion. As a member of the Halberg Youth Council, Una led inclusive sports events in Canterbury, giving young people and children with disabilities access to previously unavailable sports like netball and athletics. They have also fundraised for the Halberg Foundation and they bring their wise counsel to the organisation playing a pivotal role in shaping discussions on gender inclusivity, offering insights to improve terminology and practices. Committed to equity, Una seeks to amplify the voices of transgender and gender-diverse individuals in sports.

Zoe Dzapasi

Zoe participated in Young Enterprise in 2023 with a problem to solve. How to get her generation interested in old Zimbabwean stories that her grandmother had passed on. She came up with an idea - a board game, called Ngano, to great success. This creative young entrepreneur is also an orator. Zoe’s 2023 TEDx talk at Paparangi – ‘The crushing reality of black exceptionalism’ - speaks about the polarity in stereotypes of people of colour. She shares how she learned from classmates, teachers and institutions, she could be “good”, or “black”, but not both. “If you can only belong when you excel”, says Zoe, “you do not truly belong”. It’s a brilliant listen. This avid debater and self-described music connoisseur is, already at 18, a fierce advocate for her community, and part of the #blacklivesmatter movement in Aotearoa. Last year, she participated in the Strengthening Democracy Project, presenting a series of recommendations for a more just NZ democracy to the Prime Minister, Chief Justice, and Speaker of the House, where Zoe was specifically asked to present. She's also been heavily involved in Youth Parliament and Model UN. Currently studying Health at university, this warm superstar also writes stories for Create Happy Media and teaches speech and drama.