ABOUT GEN-Z AOTEAROA

People gathered around a table at an indoor event, talking and examining items, with a colorful poster in the background.

We build networks, share resources, and back youth-led KAUPAPA across Aotearoa so rangatahi ARE SUPPORTED to go further, together.

Our Mahi
People sitting in chairs, many holding notebooks or books, attending a lecture or seminar.

Our mission

At Gen-Z Aotearoa, our mission is to uplift and back young people by creating the infrastructure that youth movements need to thrive.

We connect youth-led organisations across the motu, helping them access resources, share knowledge, and build collective power.

Through collaboration, storytelling, and kaupapa-driven mahi, we’re laying down the foundation for a future built by us, for us.

Our Visionary founder

A project that started at 3am in the bedroom of fifteen year old Nate Wilbourne, has now turned into Aotearoa’s largest growing by-youth, for-youth organisation. Internationally renowned youth and nature advocate Nate Wilbourne, with the support of Lola Fisher brought this kaupapa to life in early 2024.

After being the Director of Gen-Z Aotearoa, he is now working in between Aotearoa and Europe at seventeen years old, and alongside two incredible Wāhine toa (Lola Fisher and Bella Ngawhika), the three of them Co-Direct Gen-Z Aotearoa as of 2025, and have taken us to the next level.

Learn more about Nate Wilbourne and follow his journey:

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Learn more

The board of trustees

  • Young woman standing outdoors in front of green shrubbery and trees, smiling with eyes closed, wearing a beige t-shirt, black pants, and necklaces.

    Bella Ngawhika

    Co-Director, Operations Representative

    Bella Ngawhika is from the iwi Ngāti Whakahemo, Ngāti Awa and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga. Bella is the impassioned voice of rangatahi, and dedicated to safeguarding Papatūānuku. Bella is proud and unapologetically Māori. She is inspired and guided by the matauranga that has been past down from her tūpuna.

  • A smiling young woman with shoulder-length light brown hair standing outdoors in a park with trees and leaves in the background, wearing a black blazer over a light pink blouse.

    Lola Fisher

    Co-Director & Co-Founder, Executive Representative

    Lola Fisher is a 17-year-old youth advocate from Whanganui. She is the co-founder of Create Happy Media, Aotearoa’s largest youth-operated media outlet, and has worked across digital media, youth policy, and childrens rights, as a former youth ambassador for Save the Children and youth policy advisor for the Ministry of Youth Development through The Hive. 

  • A young woman with long brown hair wearing a beige long-sleeve top, a faux fur vest, and a light-colored skirt, smiling and standing indoors near a staircase with large windows in the background.

    Aditi Tiwari

    Senior Advisor

    Aditi is a rangatahi advocate, climate justice organiser, and aspiring local councillor, based in Pōneke and currently pursuing a Masters of Business. Her mahi is grounded in mana motuhake, manaakitanga, and uplifting the voices of marginalised communities.

  • A young man with wavy brown hair and fair skin, wearing a black turtleneck sweater, smiling softly in front of a plain beige wall.

    Luca Zampese

    Chair

    Luca Zampese serves as the Chair of Gen-Z Aotearoa, a UNICEF Young Ambassador, and the CEO and founder of Equitech Limited. Based in Pōneke, Luca is deeply committed to community and diversity, with a strong focus on equity and digital empowerment.

  • A young woman with long wavy brown hair in a green dress standing outdoors near a wooden fence and green foliage, smiling at the camera.

    Amy Skipper

    Strategic Director

    Amy Skipper is a mental health advocate, and is the Founder and Executive Director of the Mental Health Matters Initiative. Amy has experienced the major injustices within our Mental Health system, and is fighting for change.

  • A young woman with curly red hair smiling outdoors, standing in front of a large tree with textured bark, wearing a black top and olive-green skirt.

    Kay Stodart

    Administrator

    Kay is the legend behind the keyboard, responding to all your pātai and needs! Kay is a library-nerd from Pōneke, and I quote “If you give them an incredibly boring task, they'll do it and somehow enjoy it.”

Our Incredible team

  • Nate Wilbourne, Nate Wilbourne Portrait Headshot Photo

    Nate Wilbourne

    Founder, former Director, Co-Director

    Titled one of Aotearoa’s “most dynamic changemakers” by the New Zealander of the Year Awards, 17 year old Nate Wilbourne is a globally recognised youth and nature advocate, who has spoken at and worked across Europe and parts of Asia in environmental and youth adovcacy. Studying a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Development Studies and International Relations at Victoria University of Wellington. Alongside his studies, he works in political advocacy and environmental communication in New Zealand and around the world, championing the rights of people and the planet in Aotearoa and beyond.

  • Vira paky

    YNOH Coordinator

  • A woman with long dark hair, wearing a black and gray T-shirt, standing outdoors with arms crossed, smiling softly, against a beige stone wall background.

    Aarthi Candadai

    Events and Community Engagement Manager

    Aarthi is a children’s rights advocate from Chennai, India. She’s a youth councillor, co-host at Voice of Aroha and a TEDx organiser, because she wants to elevate the voices of rangtahi from across the globe. As a Children’s Rights advocate, she’s worked with Save the Children NZ to advocate for children globally. She currently works at World Vision New Zealand, fighting for the rights of tamariki from the global south, working with students across Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Aarthi’s favourite food is Teriyaki Tofu Sushi.

  • A woman with short dark hair, wearing glasses, a navy blue dress, and a gold necklace, smiling outdoors with green trees in the background.

    Radhika Dahya

    Data & Finance Manager

    Radhika Dahya is a New Zealand-born Indian from Kawerau, now based in Rotorua, Radhika ran for the Bay of Plenty Regional Council with a strong platform focused on Youth Engagement, Freshwater, and Community. She is deeply committed to creating inclusive spaces and empowering diverse voices in Aotearoa. As a maths tutor, she coaches students with patience and enthusiasm. Radhika has been awarded Level 2 & 3 qualifications in Te Reo Māori She is committed to continually growing & learning, as she is now studying a Certificate in Buisness (Administration & Technology) through Open Polytechnic.

    A deep passion for Photography, specialising in Nature & Landscape photos. Through her business "Real Good Day" there is no editing, only raw footage, Water timelapses while swimming in FRESHWATER, moon phases and Nature Content, she embodies her political platform promises.

  • Sylvie Macfarland

    Director of Partnerships

  • Young woman with long wavy hair wearing a gray checkered blazer, smiling in front of a colorful patterned background featuring the words 'POI'.

    Ataahua Komene

    Pānui Manager

    Ataahua Komene (Ngāti Tama, Te Āti Awa, Ngā Pōtiki) works in the horticulture sector in Tauranga Mworks in the horticulture sector in Tauranga Moana. She is an advocate for Māori rights and passionate about empowering rangatahi. Ataahua is also a Marine Mammal Medic and hopes to be the first wahine Māori to head kiwifruit giant Zespri!

  • A young woman wearing a navy blue hijab and matching hoodie, sitting outdoors with a blurred background, smiling at the camera.

    Malak Tamimi

    Social Media Manager

    Malak is a 15-year-old Palestinian Kiwi living in Ōtepoti. As a youth councillor, she is passionate about human rights, youth advocacy and mental health advocacy, and community upliftment, all mainly through social media! Malak enjoys debating, UN Youth events, and art. She contributes to several youth-led kaupapa, including the Mental Health Foundation’s Youth Advisory Group, Make it 16 and more.

  • Thomas Lucock

    Content Creator

  • Samuel Paton

    Rural Advocate, Content Creator

  • Abby Golden

    YNOH Team Member

  • Ella Sage

    Content Creator

  • Emma grace yule

    Content Creator

  • Jamin Fountain

    Content Creator

  • Meg Lange

    YNOH Team Member

  • michael yu

    YNOH Team Member

  • Nargis girhotra

    YNOH Team Member

  • Shakeel Shamaail

    Incoming-Treasurer

  • Ruby Love-smith

    Content Creator

Hear from our Founder Nate Wilbourne on why Gen-Z voices are crucial.

Black arrow pointing to the right.
A young man in a yellow safety vest and beige cap speaking into a megaphone during a climate strike march on a city street. A group of diverse people gather around, some taking photos, under a wooden awning with hanging flower baskets.

Online + Community Mahi

We partner with a range of organisations and campaigns on social media. We turn our online energy into on-the-ground work, collaborating on events, and other youth activities.

Photo: Kaita Tahi Hummel

Frequently Asked Questions

We get asked a bunch of questions, so we compiled the most commonly asked ones here. If our FAQs can’t, feel free to contact us and we’ll do our best to get back to you!

  • At Gen-Z Aotearoa, we strive to create as many involvement opportunities as possible, for as many types of people as possible. The best way to keep up to date with our actions is to join our newsletter. We frequently share opportunities to get involved whether it be through submitting content, or on-the-ground actions.

    But if you are keen to join us! Fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ojJpAAuQU7G7qdsM6

    If you want to contribute to our social media, email us your mahi at: team@genzaotearoa.org, or flick us a DM with the proposal to use the collaborator tag!

  • Every koha we receive goes directly towards funding our goals through our content creation, educational campaigns, community building, and operations.

  • Our team are located across Aotearoa! Most of our team are students, so we primarily work remotely. However, we are frequently presented with opportunities to travel and work together in-person. This includes traveling for conferences, hui, and for collaboration purposes.

  • Āe! Our core team range from the ages of 15 to 25.

Our partners

  • Circular logo with the words 'SS 4C' and 'School Strike 4 Climate' overlaid on a split background of a colorful abstract map of the world.

    School Strike 4 Climate Aotearoa

  • A graphic with a yellow heart, the word "create" in bold black letters, and the word "happy" in white letters on a yellow background.

    Create Happy Media

  • Logo with the words "Generation Hope NZ" in bold black and white letters, a red heart with hands above, a globe inside the letter "O," and red decorative elements.

    Generation Hope

  • A blue spiral-shaped graphic with the words 'mental health matters initiative' inside. The image emphasizes mental health awareness.

    Mental Health Matters Initiative

Want to partner with us?