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.

Co-Director, Talent Acquisition Specialist

Bella Ngawhika is from the iwi Ngāti Whakahemo, Ngāti Awa and Ngāti Kahungunu ki Heretaunga. As well as being co-director and a board member for Gen Z Aotearoa she also specialises in Recruitment and Engagement. Bella serves as a passionate voice for rangatahi, bringing her wealth of leadership experience as Head Girl of Te Puke High School, Save the Children Youth Ambassador and UNAT Youth Kaitiaki to our team.

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. 

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.

Secretary

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.”

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. 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.

Community and events manager

Aarthi is the Community & Events Manager at Gen Z Aotearoa, where she leads initiatives that bring young people together to connect, collaborate, and drive meaningful change. Her work sits at the intersection of community building, youth engagement, and strategic event delivery, creating spaces where rangatahi are heard, valued, and empowered to shape Aotearoa’s future.

Project Advisor

Ruby Love-Smith is a student and advocate from Ōtautahi. In 2025 she was the Youth MP for Tracey McLellan, which allowed her to speak on a national platform on social justice issues and campaign for a better future for young people in Aotearoa. She continues to use her voice to advocate for climate justice and local initiatives to create real change in her communities, as well as campaigning for youth voting rights with Make It 16 and on the Christchurch Youth Council. In 2026, Ruby will continue her university studies in Law and Politics at the University of Canterbury, building her skills in communication and legislative change.

Opperational Support

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.

Project committee member

Michael is a Taiwanese born university student who has grown up in Ōtautahi. He has been involved in many youth spaces such as The Hive, UNYouth, and UNICEF charity ball. He currently studies psychology and anthropology at the University of Canterbury, and works as a Kaitaki Ākonga in their Te Kakau a Māui programme as well. Michael enjoys working in youth spaces and hopes to encourage and support youth to engage with their communities and use their voices.

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.

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.

Project committee member

Meg is an advocate for a future where we are all equal. An activist and advocate in every part of her life, she is constantly seeking opportunities to give a voice to the voiceless, uplifting those that society tries to silence. From organising protest actions for queer communities to injecting youth voice into large organisations and projects, she fights to make a change. She is committed to justice and global structural shifts for good, showing through in her current studies at Te Herenga Waka, where she is in her first year of a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Politics and International Relations).

Content Creator

Rural Advocate, Head of People & Culture

Sam Paton is a community advocate from East Otago. Locally, Sam uplifts young people in his community, running development courses to highlight young men’s value as leaders – a crucial message to share with rural rangatahi. As head student of East Otago High School, Sam encourages his fellow students to “lead and integrate and learn to listen;” a testament to his compassionate, dedicated leadership style. As a member of The Hive season 4 and 5, Sam furthered his contribution to shaping a brighter future for Aotearoa. His leadership has been recognised globally, seeing him travel to London, the Cook Islands, Boston, New York, London, Brussels and Paris with the UN, Future Leaders Academy and the International Science Forum. 

Youth Network Manager

Partnerships

Content Creator

Project committee member

Media and Communications

Content Creator

Project committee member