Kia Ora! My name is Mazaiah and I was privileged to participate in the Global Development Tour 2025.

The Tour’s purpose was to learn more about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals to understand the global effort to achieve these SDGs; this will be held in Boston, New York, London, Brussels, and Paris. These cities have been specifically chosen for their relation and significance to one or more of the 17 SDGs. This tour has changed my viewpoint about our greatest world challenges on a global scale, it has enabled me to amplify my youth voice in the international community and I’ve gained so much knowledge about the globe around me alongside young-minded rangatahi. It was a once in a lifetime experience, the delegation met with a range of high-positioned individuals and organisations that work to achieve the SDGs!

Our first stop in Boston was the coldest and most epic adventure! We had our meetings at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and learned about the crucial importance of solving global sustainability issues at a local and national level. It was also essential to acknowledge those that should be held responsible, the policy-makers. It is vital that our voices and opinions are heard and valued by these policy-makers to ensure that the consequences bring beneficial and justifiable effects for us to strive in life. On the other hand, I got to watch the phenomenal NBA game between Sacramento Kings and Boston Celtics, walk around Harvard University, and roam in the Massachusetts State House! Boston is full of historical buildings, culture and arts, it was probably one of my favourite cities I visited on the tour, however, it was definitely the coldest (-7 degrees was freezing!).

Next Stop was the incredibly overrated The Big Apple, basically New York City! Oh yes! The one and only, “NEW YORK, CONCRETE JUNGLE WHERE DREAMS ARE MADE OF.” Did I love it? Yes I did! This is where a majority of our meetings were held, meeting with the NZ High Commission, UN Permanent Mission to NZ, UNDP, UN Foundation, and more! I’ve learned so much about the work that UN agencies do to not only aim to achieve the SDGs but to promote international peace and security, better living standards and human rights for the people. We explored New York City and its delightful and many emotional attractions like, the 9/11 Museum, Top of the Rock, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the magnificent Brooklyn Bridge, and foul-smelling subways were one of a kind. I personally enjoyed seeing the 9/11 Museum, it was immensely emotional and impactful because it was a real-life event that happened in America and was very clear that the incident was intentional and if you ever got the chance to see the 9/11 Museum. Take your time and be mesmerised by how significant and impactful this event was for the American people. I honestly felt so grateful to be in America. Coming from a small city to see many of the biggest cities in the world was an unbelievably breathtaking feeling! Lastly, we participated in the Columbia Model United Nations Conference and Exposition XXIV (CMUNCE) held at Columbia University where delegates from around the world debate in a uniquely challenging simulation. It was a new simulation for me and it was a great way to challenge myself with other young-minded people. 

I will definitely miss America and its overwhelming attractions! Our next stop was London and I was very excited to see and most importantly hear the British accent. Its modern and iconic city was honestly so amusing and I definitely felt like I was back at home. One of my favourite meetings we had in London was with the Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs. They welcomed us with open arms and spoke to us about the work that they do, the Chatham House has a rule; “When a meeting, or part thereof, is held under the Chatham House Rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.” This means that the content of the meeting can be shared outside the meeting, but without revealing the original speaker. The conference we attended at the Chatham House was about Trump’s administration relation with foreign policy and I found it quite interesting to understand how his administration and upcoming policies will affect not only his people but many nations e.g The European Parliament (EP). Oh yes! I got to see the Beautiful Big Ben and the Natural History Museum. I thought the red buses were quite amusing and the city was very packed with souvenir shops and Greggs (the sausage rolls were so good!) I hope to live in London one day and live my British life haha! How could I forget! We also watched The Phantom of the Opera, a twisted scenario and an emotional ending. The vocal abilities were astonishing and the stage production with additional striking effects was very staggering and attractive to watch. 

Wow! 2 more cities to go and I gotta admit, I felt jet lagged and keeping up with the timezones were very exhausting, but I couldn’t miss the divine Belgium waffles, made with juicy love, luscious melting chocolate with immense angelic whipped cream and a sprinkle of sweet sugar. Yum Yum Yum! But we all know that these waffles would not make it through the airport declaration. Belgium was a short and sweet trip, we had a very special meeting with one of the high administrators of EU Parliament and were very pleased with the outcome. We wandered through the Royal Gallery of Saint Hubert like tourists and took lots of pictures of ‘The Piss Fountain.’ In other words, Manneken Pis, a statue of a small naked boy that is urinating into a fountain’s basin and is a symbol of Brussels. There is a legend that the little boy put out a fire with his tinkle, thus saving the city from being burnt down. Also be prepared for the numerous shops that offer chocolate, this is no joke. Belgium is full of SWEETS, basically the Candy Kingdom from Adventure Time but chocolate version. I had thought my excitement would come to a close but no, I couldn’t ignore the realisation that I would be going to the romantic and artistic Paris with its enchanting mystical streets, twinkling lights, and the attractive language ooh la la la. 

“What? No. You’re in Paris now, baby. My town.” You certainly are right Ratatouille, Paris may be a symbolic representation of love but it seems that the rats have found love as well! The whole delegation was very flawed in Paris, I just couldn’t believe it. I had stepped into the Louvre and seen many famous paintings such as; Grande Odalisque and The Valpincon Bather, Liberty Leading the People, The Death of Marat, and Oath of the Horatii. The Museum was gigantic and almost like a maze, it was honestly engaging and felt like you were in a different dimension of art. The Louvre had to be a 10/10! Most of our meetings were about Freedom of expression and the beauty of Journalism. This was a new topic that I found quite interesting because it enables free dialogue, builds understanding, improves knowledge, which will benefit our societies and communities. It increases equity for the Journalists especially women to have the same rights and for them to flourish in life. These meetings were held with Reporters Without Borders and UNESCO. Anyways, it was a requirement to see the Eiffel Tower, because why wouldn’t you want to see the Eiffel Tower? Seeing it sparkle and stand courageous, c’est tres beau! I also ate a snail, it’s like eating seafood but just try not to think about the snail (it was already cooked by the way). The pastries and bakeries, oui oui oui, almond croissants, crepes, and macaroons, you just couldn’t ignore it. The Tour was coming to an end. BUT. Disneyland Paris was our last stop! OUI! DISNEYLAND! I felt like a princess again, no more like a child but wow, the rides were incredibly fast and the lines were definitely not worth it for a five minute ride although the adrenaline feeling was DEFINITELY worth the wait! 

Thank you for reading my article! The Global Development Tour was absolutely amazing, and I really encourage many students and young passionate people to take opportunities and be unique in their own ways. You don’t always have to delve into one pathway but do something new and delve into more pathways through life, be authentic and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Life is short and it’s better to do it now or never, regret is the last feeling to feel when you become older! There are so many things you can do in life, don’t procrastinate but make meaningful decisions that will impact your life positively. I thank my families and friends for supporting me in this journey, and I can’t wait to go overseas again one day :) 

Yours sincerely,

Mazaiah.