| UN Youth New Zealand | |
| Abbreviation: | UN Youth NZ |
| Formation: | 1999 |
| Type: | Non-governmental organisation |
| Location: | New Zealand |
| Headquarters: | Wellington |
| Regions Served: | Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, Otago |
| Leader Title: | National President |
| Leader Name: | Hala Barakat |
| Leader Title2: | Board of Directors' Chairperson |
| Leader Name2: | Callum Clark |
| Governance: | UN Youth Board Of Directors |
| Leadership: | National Executive |
| Website: | www.unyouth.org.nz |
UN Youth New Zealand (formerly the United Nations Youth Association of New Zealand or UNYANZ) is a non-governmental organisation and a registered charity.[1] Its members are all aged 25 or under or are full-time tertiary students.[2] It is the largest youth-for-youth organisation in New Zealand. Annually, over 3,000 young New Zealanders (Kiwis) engage with a UN Youth event.[3]
UN Youth's stated mission is 'to inspire young people to be engaged global citizens.[4] to achieve their goal they host international tours, national conferences and regional events for secondary and tertiary students.
UN Youth is the youth arm of the United Nations Association of New Zealand (UNANZ), which is a member of the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA).
UN Youth's National Executive appoints tertiary student volunteers as Directors who organise and run five international tours. Delegations often visit United Nations Departments, Embassies, Universities, Non-Governmental Organisations, businesses and other organisations.
UN Youth runs three tours for secondary students.
UN Youth runs two tours for tertiary students.
UN Youth's National Executive appoints tertiary student volunteers as National Committee Members who organise and run three national events. Events often involve educational committee sessions, engaging workshops and social events.
UN Youth's three national events are for secondary students. Each national event attracts between 150 - 300 students.
UN Youth's Regional Councils appoint tertiary student volunteers as Regional Committee Members who organise and run various regional events.
Additionally, Regional Councils work with High School Ambassadors to promote UN Youth.
UN Youth has a Board of Directors and a National Executive who lead the organisation. Additionally, they have an Extended Leadership Group consisting of National Executive members, National Conference Coordinators and Regional Council Presidents.
The Board of Directors is the highest authority and policy-making body within the organisation. Their primary obligation is to ensure the organisation has a sustainable long-term strategy in achieving its mission. This includes monitoring financial performance, performing risk assessments and reviewing organisational policies.
The Board of Directors is composed of Ordinary Directors, Independent Directors, the National President and a Volunteers' Representative. The Board of Directors' administrative responsibilities are carried out by a Board Secretary. The Board of Directors meets virtually at least once every six weeks. Additionally, they have an Appointments Committee; Financial, Risk and Audit Committee; and Policy, Impact and Culture Committee, which meet regularly.
The National Executive manages day-to-day functions and oversees all operations of the organisation. Their primary obligation is to ensure the organisation is functioning efficiently, and they are accountable to the Board of Directors. This includes overseeing three National Committees and four Regional Councils.
The National Executive comprises the National President, National Communications Officer, National Education Officer, National Finance Officer, National Information Officer, National Māori and Pasifika Officer, National Operations Officer, National People Officer and National Relations Officer. The National Executive meets virtually around three times a month. Additionally, they have an Appointments Committee; Budget Committee; Policy Committee, Te Kawekawe (Māori and Pasifika Advisory Committee); and Welfare Committee, which meet regularly.
UN Youth has four Regional Councils that oversee the running of regional events and programmes across New Zealand. The four Regional Councils of UN Youth New Zealand are UN Youth Auckland, UN Youth Wellington, UN Youth Canterbury and UN Youth Otago/Southland.[6] Their primary obligation is running regional events and programmes, including administering the High School Ambassador programme in their wider regions, and they are accountable to the Board of Directors. Each Regional Council is led by a Regional President. As of January 2024, the four UN Youth Regional Presidents are: Chelsea Prince for UN Youth Auckland, Charlie Mudgway for UN Youth Wellington, James Ngamoki for UN Youth Canterbury, and Khaleeda Jaafar for UN Youth Otago.[7]