Kauri Tearaura

Kauri is of Polynesian descent from four islands in Te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa: Te Ika-ā-Māui, Tongareva, Avarau, and Tahiti. He sits at the intersection of diverse identities as a young, brown, indigenous, Māori, Pasifika and Queer person.

He is the Pathways Coordinator at Rototuna High Schools, supporting other young people in their transition from secondary education to the next step in their lives. This role alongside others at Waikato Wellbeing Project, Youth Employability Aotearoa, and Wise Group, continues to show the importance of amplifying the voices of young people that would otherwise not be heard.

Kauri has held several positions at UN Youth New Zealand including managing Aotearoa Youth Declaration’s equity portfolio. He also sits on a number of boards and committees including the Young Workers Resource Centre, Rainbow Youth and Seed Waikato.

Kauri sees the Youth Leaders as a vehicle which mobilises rangatahi across Aotearoa to effect systems change. To bring us to a future where all young people are seen, heard, and valued for their insights and lived experience.