On Friday 12 August, Tauranga Girls’ College ākonga had the privilege of hearing from Hon James Shaw, Minister of Climate Change. Joining him were Labour MP Angie Warren-Clark, Bay of Plenty Regional Council CEO and TGC Board member Fiona McTavish and local council candidate Kat Macmillan.

The purpose of the seminar was to discuss the role of young people in politics and climate action. Both James Shaw and Angie Warren-Clark stressed the importance of voting age students voting in both local government and central government elections, stating, “you don’t have to wait… some of the greatest influence you can make is right now.”

Minister Shaw then went on to discuss the ways young people have influenced recent climate action, recalling the impact of School Strikes for Climate in 2019 and the passion that over 175,000 students used to push for changes such as the Zero Carbon Act. He told students that change “...can only happen if there are people in positions of power who are motivated to do something about it, and the thing that has been motivating them over the past few years is you.” Angie Warren-Clark then reminded ākonga that the ban on plastic bags in New Zealand was inspired by a campaign by school students! She told students, “things are starting to happen and they’re largely starting to happen because of young people like you.”

Bay of Plenty Regional Council CEO and Tauranga Girls’ College Board member Fiona McTavish then gave some great insight into local climate initiatives, stressing the importance of being conscious of the way we travel and what we consume. A recent focus of Tauranga’s local government bodies has been increasing the accessibility of climate-friendly travel by improving bus services, creating more walkways and cycleways and by encouraging car sharing. Students can play a big part in helping to make Tauranga more sustainable simply by thinking about the way they travel.

Students then had the opportunity to grill the Minister in a parliamentary-style question time - and they didn’t hold back! Key topics of discussion were the Make It 16 campaign, what the Green Party is doing towards climate change and how the actions of individuals contribute to creating a more sustainable Aotearoa. It was fantastic to hear about what ākonga are doing personally to reduce their carbon footprints as well as an important message from Minister Shaw: “you can do something personally… but you also need system change, you need business leaders and so on. Some of the biggest changes happen in world politics.” This is a great reminder to students to get involved and be motivated by their ability to create change on a personal and political level.

Some final words of wisdom Minister Shaw left with the audience were: “no matter how dire the headlines are, and they are dire, there is hope, and things are changing, and they’re changing because of you.”

The seminar was an incredible experience for all who attended and gave ākonga lots to think about in terms of how they can be more sustainable at home, at kura and in the wider community. Thank you to Minister James Shaw, Angie Warren-Clark, Fiona McTavish and Kat Macmillan for taking the time to speak to our ākonga as they prepare to take on the world and build a more sustainable future!

Article and photos by Ella Mitchell