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Schools from across Auckland gathered at Ōrewa College last month for a student-led sustainability conference, Rangatahi Regeneration, organised by Year 10 student Sofia Brown.
Hosted in the school’s Arts and Events Centre, the conference welcomed students from Ōrewa Beach School, Silverdale School, Long Bay College, Rangitoto College, Mahurangi College, and Pakuranga College.
Sofia said the idea for the event was inspired by Green Jam, an annual sustainability conference held at Western Springs College. However, its location made it difficult for schools further north to attend. With growing interest from students and teachers to host a similar event locally, Sofia stepped up to lead the initiative.
Although organising the conference was a new and challenging experience, Sofia said it taught her valuable lessons in leadership and managing large-scale events.
“I would love to make this event a regular thing. Students are the future leaders of the planet,” she said.
Kayla Omichi from Pakuranga College, travelled two and a half hours on public transport to take part. She said she wanted to gain ideas to help her school become more sustainable.
“We’re the future leaders, so we can’t just wait for someone else to do it for us,” she said.
The conference featured a wide range of interactive workshops and speakers, including BLAKE VR, which demonstrated the impact of weather on New Zealand’s coastlines, Ethically Kate, Tawharanui Open Sanctuary Society, and representatives from Restore Hibiscus Bays.
Other contributors included representatives from Guru Knows, Hibiscus Coast Zero Waste, Auckland Council’s Kaupapa Māori Sustainable Schools Programme, and Love Food Hate Waste.
One activity highlighted the event’s positive reception. Attendees were invited to place paper leaves on a wall display shaped like a tree, each leaf featuring a reflection from the day. Among the comments were, “a must try again next year, can’t wait,” and “amazing students making ways to help our environment.”
