ABOUT GEN-Z AOTEAROA

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

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

  • Aditi Tiwari

    Co-Executive Director

    Aditi Tiwari is a first-generation immigrant from India, now living in Pōneke. She is an advocate for the rights and representation of minority and POC communities. Aditi is also a real believer in using digital media to create a more inclusive and equitable future.

  • Bella Ngawhika

    Co-Executive Director

    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.

  • Lola Fisher

    Co-Executive Director & Co-Founder

    Lola Fisher is a 16-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. 

  • 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.

  • 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. Aarthi’s favourite food is Teriyaki Tofu Sushi.

  • 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.”

  • 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!

  • Radhika Dahya

    Data & Finance Manager

    Radhika Dahya is a New Zealand-born Indian from Kawerau, now based in Rotorua. Since 2022, she has been a volunteer leader with Dear Community, an initiative designed to bring women together through monthly events. In the same year, 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.

  • Micah Greenfield

    Social Media Manager

    Micah Greenfield is of Cambodian, Chinese, and Pākehā descent who is all all about cultural diversity and advocating for rangatahi. Micah is a super bubbly, funny, and chill person who is a social media star!

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.

Online + Community Mahi

We partner with a range of oragnisations 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

  • Growth happens when we grow together.

  • Real change is made when youth lead, collaborate, and connect.

  • We're here to create the support system we wish we had.

  • A network that understands, amplifies, and supports your voice.

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

  • School Strike 4 Climate Aotearoa

  • Create Happy Media

  • Generation Hope

  • Mental Health Matters Initiative

Want to partner with us?