Rangatahi leadership
Ka noho tuakana te taiao, ka noho teina te tangata
Humanity as descendants of and junior to the natural world
The future of Tāmaki Makaurau rests with its young people, and across the region rangatahi Māori are stepping into leadership roles that connect climate action with culture, community and te taiao. Rangatahi leadership matters.
Auckland Council supports several large and small climate action initiatives led by and supporting rangatahi Māori. Grounded in mātauranga Māori, these programmes are not only preparing Auckland for the impacts of climate change – they’re also revitalising knowledge, strengthening identity and creating new pathways for rangatahi to thrive.
Te reo rangatahi
Mātātahi Taiao is a rangatahi-led kaupapa that empowers Māori youth to design and deliver climate solutions alongside mana whenua and marae. Mātātahi Taiao delivers on Te Reo Rangatahi | Rangatahi Voice, highlighting their unique and critical role in addressing climate change.
Rangatahi kāhui
A kāhui of rangatahi stay actively involved through regular wānanga, research, and hands-on mahi like seed harvesting, monitoring taonga species, planting and freshwater restoration.
Aspirations for te taiao
The kaupapa is a representation of iwi, mana whenua and mātāwaka aspirations for te taiao, and for amplifying rangatahi voice, leadership and action.
Together with iwi and marae across the rohe, Mātātahi Taiao is co-developing taiao plans focused on wai, whenua, kai and energy resilience. This intergenerational approach strengthens both climate responses and cultural revitalisation.
Other rangatahi focussed programmes
Te Aho Tū Roa
Another kaupapa empowering rangatahi is Te Aho Tū Roa, delivered in partnership with Toimata Foundation and supported by Auckland Council. This programme works through te reo Māori to strengthen connections between people and place, and to grow the capacity of young people to care for te taiao. It offers mentoring, resources and networks to support long-term, community-led action.
Tumoana Rangatahi Dive Programme
With the ocean as both classroom and healer, this council-supported programme teaches rangatahi how to fish and dive for kaimoana #kinaslayers. The programme also helps rangatahi reconnect with whakapapa, build indigenous knowledge and life skills, embrace their potential and rise as leaders in their communities.
