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 events for the Upper North 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, Auckland Model United Nations, our High School Ambassador Programme, and 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 Northland and the Waikato. As a registered club at the University of Auckland, we also offer a thriving tertiary programme with events like Tertiary Model UN and professional development opportunities. Based in New Zealand’s largest city, we provide unique opportunities to connect students with leaders in business, government, and civil society
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 runs events for the Lower 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, Otago-Southland 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 like Central Otago, Invercargill, and Queenstown. As a registered club at the University of Otago, we also offer a thriving tertiary programme with events like Tertiary Model UN and professional development opportunities. Based in ÅŒtepoti Dunedin, we provide unique opportunities to connect students with community leaders and policymakers.
