Rangatahi take the stage

From audience to stage: Auckland Council rangatahi shape climate adaptation conversations 

Authored by: Joanne Aley and Erana Whaiapu 

At the recent Aotearoa Society of Adaptation Professionals | Rōpū Urutaunga Aotearoa (ASAP | RUA) Conference, Aotearoa New Zealand's leading gathering of climate adaptation practitioners, a group of Auckland rangatahi demonstrated the value of bringing young voices into conversations about our collective future.

Supported by Auckland Council's Community Climate Action team, 7 rangatahi from Mātātahi Taiao attended the conference, gaining exposure to some of the country's leading thinkers, practitioners and decision-makers working in climate adaptation. Their attendance was encouraged by mana whenua during the team's recent update to the Interim Mana Whenua Engagement Forum, recognising the value of bringing rangatahi Māori voices into Aotearoa’s climate adaptation conversations.

What began as an opportunity to listen and learn quickly became an opportunity to lead.

Rangatahi actively participated in open floor discussions, confidently taking the microphone to share their whakaaro, ask questions and offer rangatahi Māori perspectives on climate adaptation.  

On the first day of the conference, rangatahi were invited on stage for an impromptu rangatahi panel discussion with conference MC and former Cabinet Minister Kiri Allan. Speaking in front of adaptation professionals from across Aotearoa, they shared their perspectives and challenged attendees to involve rangatahi in climate decision-making and use local expertise.

The discussion reflected one of the conference's key themes: shaping the future, not just responding to it. 

Their contributions highlighted the value of bringing youth voices into conversations that will directly affect their futures. Rather than being passive participants, the rangatahi became active contributors, helping broaden the discussion and bringing a future-focused perspective to the conference. 

For many delegates, hearing directly from young Aucklanders was a powerful reminder that effective climate adaptation requires collaboration across generations. 

Creating pathways for ongoing rangatahi participation 

The impact of the rangatahi presence at the conference extended beyond their participation on stage. Following the conference, a member of the ASAP | RUA Board contacted the group organiser to share two developments arising from the rangatahi panel discussion. 

First, ASAP | RUA has now adopted a "pay what you can" membership registration policy. This change is intended to reduce financial barriers to participation and means that rangatahi and others interested in climate adaptation may be able to join the professional network at a very low cost, and in some circumstances potentially free. This creates new opportunities for young people to remain connected to adaptation practitioners, events and learning opportunities beyond the annual conference. 

Second, the ASAP | RUA Board expressed interest in exploring whether Mātātahi Taiao could have a dedicated rangatahi platform within the organisation's membership and core kaupapa. The Society has invited discussion on whether Mātātahi Taiao sees value in helping lead and shape such a platform alongside other rangatahi and members of ASAP | RUA. 

These developments highlight how meaningful rangatahi participation can influence institutions and create pathways for ongoing engagement.

What began as an opportunity for young people to attend and contribute to a conference has already sparked conversations about making the climate adaptation sector more accessible, inclusive and responsive to future generations.

What is ASAP | RUA? 

The Aotearoa Society of Adaptation Professionals | Rōpū Urutaunga Aotearoa (ASAP | RUA) is New Zealand's first professional society dedicated to people working in, studying, or interested in climate adaptation. 

Its annual conference brings together practitioners, researchers, policymakers, iwi, community leaders and other stakeholders to share knowledge, build connections and advance climate adaptation across Aotearoa. 

The 2026 conference theme, Whakawātea: Clearing the Way for Adaptation, focused on removing barriers to progress, strengthening collaboration, and creating the conditions needed for communities to thrive in a changing climate. 

By supporting rangatahi attendance, Auckland Council helped ensure that the voices of future generations were not only represented in the room, but also shaped the conversation. 

Find out more

Follow Mātātahi Taiao on Instagram

Find out how Mātātahi Taiao and other rangatahi are leading climate action across Tāmaki Makaurau

Learn more about ASAP | RUA. Working in climate adaptation, studying it or just interested? ASAP | RUA now offers "pay what you can" membership.