Meet Our 2026 Generation Hope Ambassadors

At Save the Children New Zealand, we believe in the power of young people to lead change. Each year, we welcome a new cohort of inspiring rangatahi into our Generation Hope Youth Rōpū — a collective of passionate youth advocates ready to stand up, speak out, and take action on the issues that matter most.

Our 2026 Ambassadors come from across Aotearoa, bringing their lived experiences, cultural strengths, and bold ideas to create a better future for all children.

Ollie

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland 

A proactive leader within his community, Ollie is dedicated to serving and supporting those around him. With an interest in youth and older adults’ well-being, he supports meaningful connections and promotes equitable access to opportunities. An advocate for environmental issues, he is driven to contribute toward sustainable, positive change. 

Malak

Ōtepoti Dunedin, Palestine 

Malak is a passionate youth, mental health, and community advocate who sparks local and national conversations. Inspired by her family and community, she uses art, public speaking, and campaigning to create inclusive spaces. She is part of the Mental Health Foundation YAG, Make It 16, Gen-Z Aotearoa, and Rotary Club. A multifaceted changemaker, she believes every voice matters and works to challenge stereotypes and drive meaningful social and systemic impact. 

Johan

Kirikiriroa Hamilton    

Johan is a youth advocate focused on mental health and wellbeing, who brings energy and purpose to his work. Driven to support young people globally, he is passionate about leadership, debate, and creating opportunities for youth to thrive. 

Chunwa

Kirikiriroa Hamilton  

A dedicated debater and literature lover, Chunwa uses words as her strongest tool for change. Passionate about social justice issues,she involves herself in volunteer work, promoting the idea that the most vulnerable members of her community deserve to meet their daily needs without hardship. 

Sofia

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland 

With experience in fundraising, Sofia is a passionate 16-year-old leader from Tāmaki Makaurau who values learning, education and creativity. Committed to advocacy and community impact, she aims to create positive change with a focus on connecting and empowering other young people. 

Shubhanyu

Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington  

Inspired by the world he was raised in and the world it has the potential to be, Shubhanyu is a young leader with a passion for breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for all youth to thrive the way they see fit. He seeks to understand, challenge, and reform today’s systems so that Rangatahi can craft the best version of tomorrow. 

Rita

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland 

Rita is a passionate and driven young leader who brings authenticity and heart to everything she does. Deeply connected to her culture and community, she is committed to uplifting others and creating meaningful change. Guided by the Samoan proverb “O le ala i le pule o le tautua” — the pathway to leadership is through service — she leads with purpose, humility, and a desire to empower those around her.  

Casmai

Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington 

Casmai is a creative and confident young leader who tries to bring humour and authenticity to her advocacy. She is very passionate about racial equality and inclusion, and uses filmmaking, public speaking, and leadership to uplift diverse voices.Alongside being a dedicated badminton player, Casmai has led and been part of initiatives like Speech Race Unity and Rotaract Club while volunteering in her community. Whether she’s on stage, behind the camera, or leading a team, Casmai is always aiming to inspire change and empower others. 

Brayden

Whakaoriori Masterton 

A musician, public speaker and youth advocate, Brayden uses creativity to connect people and inspire change. He is actively involved in environmental and World Vision initiatives, serves as an Ambassador for UN Youth Wellington, and is a former Chair of the Masterton District Youth Council. Brayden is guided by a belief in dignity and a strong sense of self for all, endeavouring to empower others through storytelling, genuine conversation, and meaningful expression. 

Betty

Ōtepoti Dunedin and The Philippines 

Betty is a passionate Filipino youth advocate and creative from Dunedin. Lived experience shapes this changemaker who is committed to representation, community care, and youth-led spaces. Betty believes in empowering tamariki and rangatahi across Aotearoa and beyond to lead today and shape tomorrow. 

What is Generation Hope?

Generation Hope is Save the Children NZ’s youth leadership programme for rangatahi aged 14–18. Ambassadors contribute to five key areas of our work: advocacy, fundraising, events, media & content, and education.

They speak truth to power, co-create campaigns, and bring bold ideas to life — all while being mentored and supported along the way.

Join Generation Hope Email List

Applications for the 2026 Youth Rōpū will open in early 2026. In the meantime, learn more about Generation Hope or join our mailing list for updates.