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Imagine being selected as one of sixteen Australians to be part of the United Nations Youth Leadership tour to Aotearoa!  It was a dream come true for Victoria Hill and Jacob Atkinson – two Year 10s from our Duncraig Campus – to spend the September school holidays exploring Australia’s relationship with its first peoples through an intercultural tour of New Zealand. 

The trip began in Sydney, where delegates from Western Australia, Queensland, Melbourne, rural Victoria, NSW and South Australia met with the Australian Human Rights commission and had the opportunity to spend time in the Parliament of NSW for question time during budget week. 

The experience of Parliament was a profound one for Victoria, who reflected: 

“The energy during question time was like nothing I had ever experienced. Surprisingly, amidst the commotion, I found it to be an invaluable learning experience. What left an even more significant impression on me was the opportunity to meet with councillors and politicians. Getting a firsthand look at their daily work was nothing short of inspiring. It was a chance to see what life is like in that environment, and I couldn’t help but be deeply moved by their dedication and passion for publicservice”. 

 From Sydney the group travelled to New Zealand’s capital, Wellington where the group met with the Te Mātāwai which is an independent entity leading Māori language revitalisation, which stood out as one of the most profound experiences for Jacob. 

 We learned about New Zealand’s broader efforts to reconcile with the Māori people as well as works underway to reintegrate the Māori language into New Zealand, particularly in public spaces, including rewriting signage across New Zealand to include the Māori language. One of my favourite parts of the consultation was how we were welcomed by the Commission members singing to us. Many of us had never experienced such an immersive welcome. The singing, mainly, was such an incredible thing to be part of. It got us thinking about the nuanced nature of reconciliation and the steps the New Zealand government is taking to represent the Māori people of New Zealand”, said Jacob. 

The group then moved onto the hub of Māori culture – Rotorua – where they visited the Living Māori Village and geothermal trails and learnt about the Kura Kaupapa Māori, which are Māori-language immersion schools whose goal is to revitalise Māori language, knowledge and culture.

 From there the delegation travelled to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the birthplace of New Zealand’s most important land rights treaty which was a personal highlight for Victoria. 

“The opportunity to interact with the Tribunal members and learn about their work firsthand was an incredible privilege. During our meeting, I gained insights into the complex and intricate processes of reconciling historical injustices. The meeting with the Waitangi Tribunal not only deepened my understanding of Indigenous reconciliation but also fuelled my commitment to advocacy and activism. It served as a reminder that change is possible when individuals and institutions come together with a shared goal of rectifying historical wrongs and building a more inclusive and equitable future”. 

The final days of the tour were spent in Auckland where Victoria and Jacob, together with the other delegates gained an overview of New Zealand’s historical treatment and institutional engagement with the Māori people through consultations with Indigenous community members including Professor Linda Waimarie Nikora at the University of Auckland.

The tour was one of profound personal development and learning for all the participants as the next generation of Australians who will champion Reconciliation with Australia’s First Nations people. 

Victoria explains her learning: 

The tour represented a significant opportunity for me to further my commitment to Reconciliation and First Nations rights. It allowed me to actively engage with Reconciliation efforts on an international level and learn from the experiences of other nations”. 

Her experiences have also solidified Victoria’s future professional aspirations: 

The tour instilled in me a profound respect for the dedication and hard work of those who serve the public in various capacities. The experience also reinforced the notion that young individuals can be effective leaders and agents of change. It has instilled in me the belief that my age is not a limitation but rather an opportunity to make a difference in my community and beyond. The Aotearoa Leadership Tour has changed me as an individual by fuelling my ambition, increasing my commitment to advocacy, enhancing my respect for public service, and inspiring me to be an active participant in the political and social issues that resonate with me. This transformative experience has set me on a path of personal growth and purposeful dedication to the betterment of our communities”. 

Jacob also found the tour profoundly transformative, while acknowledging the challenges inherent in the Reconciliation journey. 

 “The task of Reconciliation isn’t the responsibility of one party or one organisation but a responsibility across the bench and Australia and New Zealand. It’s an endeavour that requires effort from many people and groups, often dedicating their lives to their organisations. I learned how difficult it is to apply blanket solutions over incredibly nuanced issues. I learned about the historic negative impacts of one-size-fits-all solutions on Māori people. Most importantly, we learned how we can facilitate change within Australia and how young people can get the ball rolling on fixing

 some really important issues”. 

Jacob continued: “One of the things that changed me came from the many conversations that went on with the people on the tour. I think it was vital for me to go into the tour with an open mind and to listen because I think I came back as a more considerate person. Engaging with delegates from across the political spectrum is not as chaotic as you may think. I enjoyed having intellectually stimulating conversations with young people who share my passions and interests. I returned from this tour with a deeper understanding of various roles in the Reconciliation process”. 

This isn’t our first story about Victoria and Jacob, and we’re sure it won’t be our last as they continue to excel in debating and public speaking – skills nurtured during their time at St Stephen’s School. 

Head of English and Languages, Howie Jakeaway has worked with Victoria and Jacob since they moved across to secondary school. “Jacob and Victoria’s achievements, including being selected for this tour, are testament to their outstanding abilities as well as their commitment. They’ve set the bar incredibly high for the students who will follow the trail they have blazed. I am in awe of their unprecedented achievements’.