Our Mission: Engage, Empower & Advocate
Our mission is to engage, empower, and advocate for refugee background youth in Aotearoa, ensuring their voices shape policies, decisions, and opportunities that affect their lives. Through leadership, collaboration, and holistic youth development, we create pathways for refugee youth to thrive and contribute to society.
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to champion the rights, well-being, and inclusion of refugee background youth in New Zealand. We bridge the gap between refugee youth and decision-makers, offering platforms for meaningful engagement, and ensuring that our community-led initiatives contribute to positive resettlement, social integration, and future success.
Our Vision
Aotearoa where refugee background youth are fully empowered to realise their potential, respected for their diverse backgrounds, and actively engaged in shaping an inclusive, equitable, and supportive society.
Our Values
Innovation
We are forward-thinking and adaptive, creating new solutions to the unique challenges refugee youth face. Through innovation, we ensure our initiatives are impactful and responsive.
Commitment
We are dedicated to the long-term success and well-being of refugee youth. Our commitment ensures that we continuously work towards creating a more inclusive and supportive society for all.
Drive
Our passion fuels everything we do. We are driven by a shared purpose to uplift refugee-background youth and create lasting, meaningful change in their lives.
Empathy
Understanding and compassion are at the heart of our work. We listen to the voices of refugee youth, ensuring their experiences shape the support and opportunities we provide.
Courage
We stand strong in the face of challenges, advocating for the rights and needs of refugee-background youth. Courage drives us to lead change and to speak up, even when it's difficult.
Core Areas of Focus
We channel our efforts into four key areas to create the most impact for refugee youth.
Leadership Development
Empowering refugee youth to become leaders in their communities through targeted programmes.
Advocacy
Engaging with decision-makers on all levels to influence policies that impact refugee youth.
Training
Providing training to help professionals better understand and engage with refugee-background youth.
Youth-Led Projects
Supporting refugee youth to lead initiatives that address community challenges and foster belonging.
Our History
From humble beginnings to becoming Aotearoa's leading voice for refugee youth, discover the milestones that shaped our journey.
Founding of NZNRYC
A group of 15 refugee-background youth had a vision: to create a space by youth, for youth, where their voices would be heard, their unique challenges addressed, and their potential uplifted. With no one else focusing on the critical needs of refugee youth in Aotearoa, they founded the New Zealand National Refugee Youth Council (NZNRYC), committed to leading change for their community.
Official Launch
NZNRYC was officially launched at the New Zealand UNHCR Annual Consultations of NGOs, committing to ensure refugee youth had a voice in shaping their future in Aotearoa.
Invited to Speak at the Annual Tripartite Consultations on Resettlement – Geneva
NZNRYC highlighted the need for meaningful refugee participation, paving the way for broader recognition of refugee voices at the international level.
Youth Voice Canterbury Championing Diversity Award
NZNRYC won the Youth Voice Canterbury Award, recognising our commitment to diversity and refugee youth advocacy.
Membership in the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network
NZNRYC officially became a member of the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network, strengthening our role in international advocacy.
Response to COVID-19
During the pandemic, NZNRYC played a critical role in communicating public health messages to refugee youth, leading to a government-funded COVID-19 vaccination awareness project.
Steering Committee Membership – New Zealand Refugee Alliance
NZNRYC became a steering committee member of the New Zealand Refugee Alliance, further enhancing our role in national policy advocacy.
Appointment of Full-Time CEO
I was appointed as the full-time CEO to lead and expand the organisation, strengthening our initiatives and community impact.
Launch of Our First Youth Leadership Programme
NZNRYC launched its first youth leadership programme, equipping refugee youth with the skills to lead and advocate within their communities.
Global Refugee Forum – Geneva
NZNRYC was invited to speak and participate at the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, strengthening our presence on the global stage.
Registered as a Charity
NZNRYC officially became registered as a charity under the New Zealand Charities Act.
Co-Designing the National Refugee Resettlement Forum
Invited by the Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, NZNRYC co-designed and co-led sessions at the 2024 National Refugee Resettlement Forum. Sixteen of our refugee youth leaders facilitated the 'Empowering Refugee Youth 101' session, engaging stakeholders in meaningful discussions on critical issues impacting refugee youth in Aotearoa.
Continuing Our Mission
NZNRYC continues to grow and expand its impact, working tirelessly to empower refugee youth and create lasting change across Aotearoa.
Join Our Cause
Your support is crucial in helping us empower refugee youth across Aotearoa. Get in touch to learn how you can contribute to our mission and make a lasting impact.
Contact Us