Mandipa, who has attended Dio since she was four years old, is of African heritage and has always had a passion for driving social change. She applied for the Generation Hope Ambassador programme inspired by a strong desire to address youth inequality and advocate for fairer policies. “The opportunity to make changes for youth facing inequality due to existing legislations and rules was something I couldn’t ignore,” she says.
Her passion for advocacy was sparked by her engagement with Te Ao Māori, particularly the Ihumātao protests and the ongoing implementation of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Dio’s mātauranga Māori programme, along with her studies in Te Reo Māori and environmental values, helped shape her awareness of social justice issues. Additionally, her keen observations of the disparities in the Ka Ora, Ka Ako healthy lunches programme ignited her drive to address inequities in education and nutrition for New Zealand’s youth.
Upon learning of her selection as a Generation Hope Ambassador, Mandipa felt a mixture of excitement and responsibility. “I was anxious because I want to represent youth who are facing hard times but might not have the platform to speak,” she admits.
Her journey as an ambassador has already been transformative. At the Youth Noho in April, Mandipa connected with like-minded peers dedicated to advocacy and learned about the broad landscape of social change in Aotearoa. She was particularly inspired by visiting the Save the Children headquarters in Wellington and meeting the organisation’s leadership. One highlight so far was meeting Minister for Children Karen Chhour, which gave Mandipa deeper insight into the complexities of law-making and government processes.
Another memorable experience was speaking at the Child Poverty Action Group’s Post-Budget Hui at AUT, where she advocated for increased funding for Māori development and education. This led to an invitation to speak on PMN Tuvalu radio, sharing her views on youth issues with a wider audience.
Mandipa is determined to bring her learning back to Dio. She plans to start a youth advocacy or African culture group at Dio to foster inclusivity and create a space for important conversations. “Dio has so many groups where students can find a sense of belonging, and I want to contribute to that by encouraging others to share their perspectives and learn about new cultures,” she explains.
Throughout her nine-month journey with Generation Hope, Mandipa will engage in initiatives tackling hunger and malnutrition and contribute to the programme’s social media campaigns, particularly for Māori Language Week. The experience has already helped her develop vital leadership skills such as communication, public speaking, and active listening. She has also gained a greater understanding of the inequalities many young people face in accessing food, education, and healthcare in New Zealand.
Mandipa’s advice to other students interested in advocacy is to find organisations that align with their passions, such as Save the Children, UNICEF, or World Vision. “Becoming an ambassador can teach you about advocacy processes and give you a platform to promote change,” she advises.
Her inspirations in activism include Malala Yousafzai, whose resilience and advocacy for girls’ education deeply resonate with her, and Varaidzo (Vee) Kativhu, a champion for education and equality.
Balancing her advocacy work with school and extracurricular activities has taught Mandipa valuable time management skills. With meetings typically held fortnightly, she’s learned to prioritise and avoid procrastination. She also feels that advocacy has become a natural part of her daily life as she remains attuned to current events and social issues.
Mandipa’s selection as a Generation Hope Ambassador reflects her passion, drive, and potential to be a powerful force for change in Aotearoa and beyond. As Save the Children’s Youth Engagement Co-ordinator Vira Paky puts it, “Her passion for her community and the brightness in her advocacy practice is the breath of fresh air that is deeply needed in the social change sector.”
