Noah McBirney Warnes

Noah is currently studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Politics at the University of Otago. He is of Māori and Cook Islands descent and brings experience in youth leadership, policy, and community engagement to the Committee. He is actively involved in youth initiatives that promote environmental awareness, well-being, and education, with a strong focus on ocean literacy and Indigenous knowledge.

Noah works alongside Heirs To Our Ocean as a global youth leader and serves as a member of the Youth Inclusion Expert Working Group for the UN Ocean Decade established by Heirs To Our Ocean, helping strengthen youth representation and leadership in ocean action. He is passionate about connecting local knowledge systems, youth perspectives, and global ocean policy to advance the goals of the UN Ocean Decade across Aotearoa and Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.