Kaikōrero Matua

James Meager is the Minister for the South Island, Minister for Hunting and Fishing, Minister for Youth, and Associate Minister of Transport. He is the MP for Rangitata electorate which runs from the Rakaia River in the north to Timaru in the south.

James was born and raised in Timaru where he now lives. He has a degree in Law and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Otago.

Before serving as an MP, James practiced law as a public law litigator for the law firm Simpson Grierson and has also previously worked in pest and predator control in the central South Island. He also worked in Parliament, including for Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett.

Dr Claire Achmad grew up amongst kauri and kererū in the Waitākere Ranges, went to school in West Auckland, and is of New Zealand and Indonesian heritage.

Claire is a recognised advocate for children in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally, having worked in a wide range of areas relating to children's rights, including from legal, policy and practice perspectives.

Claire was appointed as the Deputy Chair of the Children and Young People's Commission from 01 July 2023, and from 01 November 2023 took up the role of Chief Children's Commissioner and Chair of the Commission for a total term of five years.

Andre Afamasaga (Samoan: Afega, Fasito‘otai) is a recognised human rights advocate in both New Zealand and Australia.  He is also former pastor, school chaplain and youth worker with deep roots in Pacific and diverse communities. He is chairperson of Zeal, and a Trustee at Praxis. 

For more than 10 years, he has held senior roles in government working on various human rights and social cohesion issues at New Zealand Human Rights Commission, Ministry of Justice, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Health Promotion Agency (Te Whatu Ora). Such as, anti-racism, pay and health equity for Pacific and Maori, and conversion practices prohibition, and Rainbow inclusion.

Originally from Lower Hutt and now based in Taranaki, Andre leads his own consultancy, Lived Experience Leadership, where he supports organisations to be more inclusive in their practice. For his human rights advocacy, he runs his own non-profit Alofa Project, and was the subject of the 2024 ABC Australia documentary Alofa. His commentary has featured in the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Samoa Observer, Stuff, RNZ, and TVNZ. 

Pronouns: They / She
Whakapapa : My father hails from the island of Rakahanga in the Cook Islands and my mother is of Irish decent.

Kia orana! My name is Dr MahMah Timoteo (Tohoa Tetini). I am a Cook Island multidisciplinary teacher and researcher who recently completed a PhD in Anthropology through the University of Canterbury. My thesis explored the lived experiences of Pacific peoples and their navigation of climate change spaces within Aotearoa.

Much of my research and mahi interests lie in climate change, Pacific peoples and communities, intersectionality, Indigenous liberation, queer liberation, body liberation, and well-being. Alongside this, I take great pride in advocating in online spaces that work to challenge oppressive systems that continue to harm our most marginalised communities. More so, these spaces emphasise the importance of joy and rest.

I am a proud member of Moana Vā, a Pacific rainbow organisation based in Otautahi. As part of Moana Va, I have the privilege to co-host the podcast 'Two Fat 'Fine', celebrating queer, fat, joy. The interweaving of my research background, alongside my social media presence, has granted me the honour to speak in inspiring spaces, with inspiring people, and even more inspiring kaupapa. From lectures, to workshops, to conferences, to panel discussions, to MCing, and events and festivals. I continue to be thankful for the incredible mahi I get to do with so many very special communities.

Na te ngākau aroha tātou katoa i ārahi.

Tēnā rā koutou, ngā whānau whānui,

My initial unofficial involvement with the Youth Sector was in 1997 when I supported Anni Watkin at her interview as Manager, Youth and Cultural Development at that time they were based at the Youth Hostel Association in Manchester St. At this time I had not engaged in any official role within the Youth sector, Canterbury Youth Workers Collective had not yet been formed. The initial Kaumātua of Youth and Cultural Development was Jenny Ellison from Foxton Beach of Muaūpoko and Ngāti Toa Rangatira whakapapa.

I became Kaumātua of Youth and Cultural Development, 2000, being responsible for all cultural training, supervision and to culturally support the staff of Youth and Cultural Development with whānau demographics and whakapapa, following on was Kaumātua Canterbury Youth Workers Collective/Rerenga Awa, then, National Youth Workers Network of Aotearoa, and with NZAAHD becoming Ara Taiohi Kaumātua.

Responsibilities as Kaumātua for the Youth Sector varied from Noho marae, Code of Ethics Training and many other culturally focused training. All the above positions I held for a number of years, finally retiring them two or three years gone. Current position held is Kaumātua Pou Manaaki Taiohi ō Aotearoa/Scope Aotearoa.

I have been asked to speak on the philosophical and practical understanding of Kōtahitanga from a Iwi Taketake perspective and exploring the intrinsic essence of te reo me ōna tikanga. Te Kōtahitanga kō te Kaupapa Whakahirahira ō tēnei huihuinga.

As the Practice Lead at Ara Taiohi, Tyler Ngatai is a passionate advocate for youth development, with a strong focus on intersectionality and systems change. He brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to advancing equity and social justice for young people from all backgrounds.

In addition to his advocacy in intersectionality, Tyler is a catalyst for systems change within the youth development sector. He collaborates with stakeholders at all levels to challenge existing structures and policies, striving to create more equitable and supportive environments for young people and the people that support them, to be their best selves.

Through his leadership and expertise, Tyler empowers professionals and organisations to embrace a holistic approach to youth development, one that acknowledges the interconnected nature of social issues and fosters collaboration across sectors. He advocates for systemic reforms that address root causes of inequality and promote meaningful change at scale across Government to grassroot organisations.

Te Aupōuri, Ngāpuhi

Eru Kapa-Kingi grew up in Te Tai Tokerau, the birthplace of both He Whakaputanga and Te Tiriti. He is a triplet, proud pāpā, teacher of law at Auckland Universtity and is an activist who rose to prominence as a leading figure of the Hīkoi mō te Tiriti protests in 2024

Ngāti Porou (Te Whānau a Te Aopare, Te Whānau a Kahu)

Riana Te Ngahue is a Māori Lawyer and social media influencer. She is known for her political commentary and social media content, particularly on topics related to the Treaty of Waitangi and Māori perspectives on legislation. Her work often focuses on making complex political issues accessible and relatable to younger audiences. 

Chris is a founding director and senior consultant with Leadership Lab where he works alongside organisations in the education, health, social services and community sectors in a range of projects. These include design and delivery of leadership development programmes, change management initiatives, organisational capability and strategic planning.

Chris was a Senior Fellow at the University of Canterbury, where he taught and supervised leaders studying the Post Graduate Diploma of Strategic Leadership and Masters of Business Management (MBA).

Chris is particularly passionate about the wellbeing of Māori and Pasifika young people and their whanau/communities. He has also been involved in the NGO community development and social service sector for many years, both locally though Te Ora Hou Ōtautahi (an indigenous youth development organisation) and also in the Pacific Islands (Ola Fou development project).