National Commission welcomes two new UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leaders

They join current members Madiha Ali, Mary Ieremia-Allan, Tara Shepherd and Wesley Tanuvasa. Saeyavan Sitsabesan has been appointed as our Special Advisor Youth, leading our 2026 UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leader rōpū.

Zana is an emerging environmental and ocean advocate, passionate about bridging law and science to protect people and the planet. She is currently the Sarah Flynne Memorial Scholar at the Environmental Defenders Office in Sydney (Jan to Feb 2026), where she contributes to public interest environmental litigation and law reform.

Her work is informed by hands-on ocean conservation experience, including field research in Mozambique and volunteering with ocean conservation initiatives in Aotearoa New Zealand. Alongside her environmental work, Zana has experience in both global commercial law firms and local community law centres, giving her insight into large-scale legal disputes as well as community-level access to justice.

She is drawn to UNESCO by a belief that meaningful and lasting change requires interdisciplinary approaches grounded in local and Indigenous knowledge. Her work in conservation has reinforced her understanding that community-led approaches are essential to addressing environmental and social challenges together. She is particularly passionate about supporting grassroots solutions to the complex challenges facing people and the planet today.

Zana holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Science, with her honours dissertation focused on regulating offshore renewable energy in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Ryn Peni Matenga is a young activist and advocate for inclusion and equity in Aotearoa New Zealand. Raised in Foxton and with whakapapa to Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga, their lived experience shapes a commitment to representative leadership.

Ryn is a recipient of the Rainbow NZ Charitable Trust Scholarship and the King Country Energy Mangahao Next Generation Scholarship and has held leadership roles in community and student spaces focused on sustainability, democracy, and education. They have previously studied Business at Massey University.

Ryn is currently studying a Bachelor of Commerce majoring Public Policy at Victoria University of Wellington, with interests in culture, wellbeing, and emerging digital technology concerns.

Saeyavan Sitsabesan is the group’s new Special Advisor Youth, taking over from Isaac Morunga, whose term has come to an end. As Special Advisor Youth Saeyavan will attend all National Commission meetings and provide advice to the National Commission on how to engage young people in the National Commissions and UNESCO’s work programmes.

Learn more about our UNESCO Aotearoa Youth Leader programme.