Christchurch City Council and ECAN are also working to get a youth voice to inform decision-making, while Ngai Tahu have set up a Māori futures group.

Bronwyn Hayward, former IPCC lead author and youth politics expert, says that youth engagement is vital, alongside the importance of building new generations’ capacity to lead on climate change.

“The difficult reality is that, as hard as we work now to reduce emissions, young people are still facing increasing numbers of climate disasters – far more than their parents and grandparents did. It’s also incredibly important that we involve young people in decisions that will have a huge impact in their lifetime.”

Hayward is currently working on a Deep South Research Project to to grow indigenous youth participation in climate change decision-making.

“Future generations should be prioritised in decision-making. It’s also vitally important that communities that are going to be hardest hit must be involved in decision making. We know that Māori and Pacific youth will be more affected and need to lead on climate – and they already are,” she says.

Tauranga youth voice in city’s first climate plan

Tauranga City Council Commission Chair Anne Tolley says the Youth Climate Forum – Te Toka Whakaea on 11 February, is calling on the city’s youth to directly influence how the council tackles climate change.

“Council can’t plan for how Tauranga will address something as significant as climate change without hearing from the younger generation who we know are passionate about the health of the planet, and who can be future leaders of Tauranga.”

The event is open to 13 to 24-year-olds and will bring together rangatahi and guest speakers to discuss the biggest climate issues affecting Tauranga Moana. Input from the forum is intended to feed directly into the city’s first climate plan being developed by the council.

Carlo Ellis, Tauranga City Council manager of Strategic Māori Engagement, says addressing climate change requires an inclusive approach.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the young people of Tauranga to attend an event specifically designed to hear their concerns and hopes for the future of the city. Ideally, we will draw solutions from those of our community who will be here facing the challenges front on – our rangatahi.

“Tangata whenua have always had a necessity to operate in harmony with the environment, and that lens brings centuries of learnings to the table. It will be inspiring to see the city’s rangatahi of all backgrounds converge on Huria Marae to plan for how we can best undertake climate action in Tauranga Moana.”

Queenstown Lakes District Council looking for climate reference group

Queenstown Lakes District Council is looking for people to help address local effects of climate change – including a youth representative – to be part of  the council’s Independent Climate Reference Group (CRG).

The CRG has been advising the council on climate and biodiversity action since August 2020.  QLDC Climate Action programme manager Katherine Durman says the group has been instrumental in delivering projects, embedding climate action into council planning, and developing the Queenstown Lakes Climate and Biodiversity Plan 2022-25.

Vacancies on the CRG have arisen following Mayor Glyn Lewers’ decision to make the group fully independent by stepping down three QLDC elected members and one Otago Regional Councillor.

“This is a significant opportunity for applicants to join eight other like-minded individuals who collectively provide expert advice to help guide Council’s response to the huge climate and ecological challenges we all face.” Durman says.

The council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and Durman says it needs the wider community to help reach its “bold targets”.

“We’re also seeking interest for a rakatahi (youth) seat and welcome anyone under the age of 25 to apply. No particular experience in climate or biodiversity is required – just passion and energy,” said Durman.

Applications close on Sunday 12 February and can be made via a form on the QLDC website.