Kiwi Climate Ambassadors
young Kiwi’s Tackling Climate Change
Meet the young stars who represented New Zealand at the Children’s Climate Forum in Copenhagen in December 2009.
The Children's Climate Forum was an important addition to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP15). Find out more.
Name: Rick Zwaan
School: Northcote College
Area: Auckland and Thames
Interests: Gliding; tramping; sailing; snowboarding; and mountain biking
“I’m involved in heaps of environmental groups in Thames where my Dad lives in a self sufficient earth house. Climate change is a very important issue to me as I see the destructive effects that it is having on innocent children and adults across the world, particularly in the South Pacific region, and I feel compelled to do everything I can to change things.
I’d like to see a clear collaborative and concise vision from world leaders. I want to take home heaps of knowledge to share from young people around the world, and be motivated to ensure that our world leaders take into account our visions when deciding climate change policy. I want to ensure that they stick to their decisions.”
Name: Erana WalkerSchool: Te Wharekura o Te Rawhitiroa
Area: Whangarei
Interests: School, friends, taking action on climate change and being awesome!
“Kia ora! I think taking action on climate change is important because we must preserve and sustain everything around us for future generations!!
I want to bring as much information back from Copenhagen to help my school, my hapu, my iwi. I’m really excited about going to Copenhagen and I know it will be an awesome experience!”
Name: Phoebe Hunt
School: Western Heights High School
Area: Rotorua, Bay of Plenty
Interests: Rowing, water polo, singing, the environment, playing guitar and horse riding.
“Climate change is important to me because it is threatening millions of lives. I feel that this is not being taken seriously enough; decisions made now will affect the level of damage in the future. Climate change affects us all; I believe we need to work together globally to minimise the effects.
In Copenhagen I aim to share my ideas for achieving sustainability; in return, I want to learn of other ideas and activities to minimise climate change. I think the conference is an ideal place to meet like-minded people and to form a worldwide network of contacts with the same goals.”
Name: Travis MillsSchool: Waimea College
Area: Sunny Nelson
Interests: Hanging out with friends, creating movies, going for bike rides and cuddling up on the couch with a good book.
"My mates would best describe me as chatty and understanding but someone who never backs down from a challenge. Climate change is important to me because our world is so beautiful with so many amazing creations and I want my grandchildren’s children to be able to experience every single one of them.
From Copenhagen I hope to gain more understanding of how people from other parts of the world feel about climate change and what they’re scared of. I also hope to take away the experience of speaking to an international audience."
Name: Abby WardSchool: Nayland College
Area: Nelson/Tasman
Interests: dancing, debating, tramping, skiing, drama and environmental activism
"Hailing from the happening village of Upper Moutere near Nelson, I spent my childhood flitting between Kahurangi and Abel Tasman National Parks. Since 2005, two friends and I embraced the cheesy label of "Green Teens" in order to reduce plastic bags in Nelson by at least 20%. Our recent campaigns have included an eco bag art exhibition and an Eco Bag month in Nelson.
I am extremely excited about the opportunity to engage with fellow young greenies in Copehagen. Next year, I plan to pursue my environmental interests in studying for a Law and Arts degree in Wellington."
