From Planting Trees to TEDx: Nate Wilbourne on Youth Activism & Founder of GenZ Aotearoa

How do you go from planting trees at 8 years old… to giving a TEDx talk at 14… to speaking truth to power in Parliament — all before the age of 18? In this powerful kōrero, we sit down with environmental activist, youth leader, and founder of GenZ Aotearoa, Nate Wilbourne. Nate shares his journey of growing up in Nelson Tasman, why networking (and LinkedIn!) matters more than you think, and what it really means to be a young person standing up for justice — even when the system tries to silence you. ✨ From bird calls and burnout, to protests, platforms and pushing back on censorship — this is a raw, insightful, and hopeful conversation for anyone who believes in the power of rangatahi to shape the future. 🗣️ “Challenge the status quo. Speak up, speak out. Be a voice for those who can't.” Whether you're a young person finding your voice, or someone wanting to better support the next generation — this episode will leave you inspired and reminded that youth are not just the future, they’re the now. 🎧 Listen in. Reflect. Share it forward. 💬 Let us know your whakaaro in the comments below! 🔔 Subscribe to The Voice of Aroha Channel! 👉 Follow us on social media for more! https://www.facebook.com/voiceofaroha/ https://www.instagram.com/voiceofaroha/ https://www.youtube.com/@voiceofaroha https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceofaroha https://www.linkedin.com/company/voiceofaroha/ #VoiceOfAroha #YouthLeadership #GenZAotearoa #MakeIt16 #EnvironmentalJustice #ClimateAction #Rangatahi #PodcastNZ #AotearoaYouth #WellingtonVoices