OUR REGIONS
Local Impact, National Community
UN Youth New Zealand is a nationwide organisation — but our heart lies in our regions. Across Aotearoa, we have four active regional branches that bring our mission of civic education and youth empowerment to life at the local level.
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Each region runs its own events, engages with schools and communities, and provides leadership opportunities for young people to grow their skills and make an impact close to home. Our regions are:
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Auckland
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Wellington
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Canterbury
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Otago Southland
From flagship regional conferences to school workshops, outreach days, and volunteer development, our regions are where many young people first connect with UN Youth. Each branch is run entirely by volunteers — passionate high school and university students who organise events, lead teams, and work to make civics fun, accessible, and engaging.
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While each region has its own flavour and priorities based on local needs, they’re all part of the same national movement — collaborating to deliver consistent, high-quality opportunities for youth across the motu.
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Our regional structure means that no matter where you are, there’s a way to get involved. Whether you're a student looking to attend your first event or a volunteer ready to step into leadership, your local region is the place to start.
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Together, our regions form the backbone of UN Youth — empowering young people from the ground up and building a stronger, more connected Aotearoa.
AUCKLAND
UN Youth Auckland runs a wide range of engaging and accessible events for high school students across the region, from Model UNs to discussion forums that dive deep into global affairs and civic engagement. Our High School Ambassador Program empowers student leaders to bring the spirit of UN Youth into their own schools and communities, reaching across Northland, Auckland, Waikato, and the Bay of Plenty.
Our tertiary space is full of activity, with a mix of educational and social events. We've hosted Tertiary MUNs, a volunteers gala, and professional development opportunities for our community. We have a strong focus on equity this year, looking to host affordable and accessible events for everyone. We look forward to seeing you at one of our events!
WELLINGTON
UN Youth Wellington runs events for the Lower North Island, and is run by a passionate group of volunteers aged 18-25. We offer a range of civic education programmes, including our flagship event, Wellington Model United Nations, our High School Ambassador Programme and our in-school Model UNs and workshops that make global issues accessible and engaging. Our Outreach Programme also brings free Model UN events and workshops to regions that have limited access to our events. As a registered club at VUW, we also offer a thriving tertiary programme with events like Tertiary Model UN and professional development opportunities. Based in Aotearoa’s capital, we provide unique opportunities to connect students directly with policymakers and change makers.
CANTERBURY
UN Youth Canterbury runs events for the Upper South Island and is led by a passionate group of volunteers aged 18–25. We offer a range of civic education programmes, including our flagship event, Canterbury Model United Nations (CanMUN), our High School Ambassador Programme, and our in-school Model UNs and workshops that make global issues accessible and engaging. Our Outreach Programme also brings free Model UN events and workshops to regions like Nelson, Marlborough, and the West Coast. As a registered club at the University of Canterbury, we also offer a thriving tertiary programme with events like Tertiary Model UN and professional development opportunities. Based in ÅŒtautahi Christchurch, we provide unique opportunities to connect students with leaders and change makers from across Te Waipounamu.
OTAGO SOUTHLAND
UN Youth Otago Southland is the beating heart of civic education in the Lower South Island, driven by a dynamic team of volunteers aged 18–25. We host a flagship Otago-Southland Model United Nations each year held on the Otago campus. We’re passionate about making civic education accessible to everyone — our Outreach Programme delivers free Model UNs and engaging workshops to places like Invercargill, and the Southern Lakes region. As a registered club at the University of Otago, we also run an exciting tertiary programme, including a Tertiary Model UN, skills workshops, and social events. Based in beautiful ÅŒtepoti Dunedin, we’re proud to connect young people with changemakers, leaders, and each other — building confidence, knowledge, and a new generation of global citizens.
