I recently had the incredible opportunity to get a scholarship to attend the Auckland Youth Declaration (AYD) conference at the University of Auckland and it was truly an unforgettable experience. The conference was packed with inspirational talks and valuable insights from some of the brightest minds in the industry. Not only that, I was able to create new friendships in my Rōpū (groups) and hear strong voices from the rangatahi all over Aotearoa. One of the greatest highlights of this experience was having the privilege of meeting Chloe Swarbrick, a member of parliament and co-leader of the Green Party.

Together, all the Ropu’s were able to examine issues in Aotearoa, such as access to voting, child poverty, and Te Reo in schools. I enjoyed being part of the team and being able to contribute solutions to tackle these issues. Through this, my group and I were able to submit our declaration/policies to parliament to help them decide the future of Aotearoa. My journey at AYD inspired me to take action and work toward solving issues affecting our region. Being a part of this network was truly empowering and truly gave us a sense of purpose 

Every moment I spent at this four-day conference was spectacular, many opportunities and countless mind-blowing advice from our lectures implemented a safe space for all youth who wanted to raise their voices. I also enjoyed the debates, TikTok challenges, dressing up for the cultural day, team building, and the big chant-offs. 

Overall, the Auckland Youth Declaration conference was a life-changing experience that provided me with a platform to share my ideas and opinions on issues that matter. I’m grateful to my teachers, family and friends for their support! It was a perfect blend of learning, networking, and fun, and I would recommend it to any young person in Waitākere College who wants to make a difference in their community.