Youth Statements
2023 Youth Statement:
Awhihia Te Rito – Nuture the Young
About this document
The Race Unity National Hui held in Auckland in June 2023 provided an important platform for rangatahi (youth) to share their thoughts on the root causes of racism and potential solutions to eradicate racism in Aotearoa New Zealand. This document gives the reader a synopsis of these rangatahi voices.
2019 discussion paper: Dismantling Institutional Racism in Aotearoa
About this document
Last August the 2019 Youth Statement on Race Relations was studied and discussed by over 40 influential New Zealanders, including MPs, government officials, academics and journalists. This paper is a synthesis of the views shared in those discussions, focused mainly on the issue of institutional racism. The paper not only describes the problem but sets out learning from current efforts to overcome institutional racism.
Potential uses
Teachers may benefit from studying the paper and reflecting on how institutional racism has affected their own experiences in the education system. This study could be carried out individually or as a group.
Senior social studies students may find the paper valuable for deepening their understanding of current discourse on race relations.
The paper and other documents on this website could be used in assessments where students describe or examine an example of social action.
2019 Youth Statement on Race Relations: Confronting Racism with Justice and Unity
About this document
The Youth Statement summarises and synthesises the views shared by over 150 young people who participated in the 2019 Race Unity Hui. Key themes include confronting racial prejudice, racism and equity in education, creating safe spaces to discuss race and culture, and dismantling institutional racism.
Potential uses
Students participating in the Speech Awards may find it useful to study this document to stimulate their thinking and get an idea of what is already being said about race, unity and justice.
Studying this document may also help students understand the purpose of the Race Unity Hui. Students may be motivated by understanding that their participation in the Hui may help shape a similar statement, and that last year’s statement had a real impact on the national conversation about race relations.
2018 Conference Statement – Race, Unity and Justice
About this document
The 2018 National Race Unity Hui explored the relationship between race, unity and justice. The Conference Statement was prepared to reflect views shared by youth during small group discussions at the Hui. The document was shared with members of the media, government and civil society as an example of the sorts of views youth hold on race relations issues.
Potential uses
Students participating in the Speech Awards may find it useful to study this document to stimulate their thinking and get an idea of what is already being said about race, unity and justice.
Studying this document may also help students understand the purpose of the Race Unity Hui. Students may be motivated by understanding that their participation in a Hui may help shape a similar youth statement on race relations in 2020.
