After searching the length of the country for budding young reporters, UNICEF NZ (UN Children’s Fund) and 3News have chosen five young Kiwis to write for 3Youth – a space on the 3News website dedicated to news written by young people. 

The new 3Youth reporters are:
· Arizona Leger – 16, Auckland
· Ashlee Butler – 17, New Plymouth
· Joe Brodie – 16, Christchurch
· Claire McCorkindale – 17, Dunedin
· Naheed Saeid – 17, Auckland

The young reporters were carefully chosen from an essay competition and video submission judged by leading journalist and newsreader Mike McRoberts, and the 3News team. 

The young reporters will work with UNICEF and 3News to bring issues of global and local importance to a mainstream media audience. Each reporter, all aged between 16-18 years, will write one story a month for the 3Youth page on the 3News website. 

The successful five begin their new role with a workshop in Auckland at 3News headquarters, with training sessions from both UNICEF NZ and 3News staff. The workshop gives the participants the opportunity to get to know the other young reporters, learn more about the mission and values of UNICEF New Zealand, and gain valuable journalism skills needed when writing for the media. 

Sarah Morris, Advocacy Manager at UNICEF NZ, said “It’s so important that young New Zealanders have their voices heard and express what is important to them in today’s news, so we’re very excited about working with 3News to continue evolving this platform for young Kiwis. 

“We were hugely impressed at the quality of applications we received from the length and breadth of New Zealand and can’t wait to follow our budding news reporters’ stories throughout the year”

3Youth began in 2011 when 50 young New Zealanders came together in Auckland for the first ever UNICEF NZ Youth Congress. During the course of the weekend they learnt how to write for the media and heard from a host of key speakers on issues in the Pacific and how to campaign about them.