Nate Wilbourne
on Youth Leadership
At just 17, Nate Wilbourne is showing Aotaroa what’s possible when passion meets purpose. A youth and environmental advocate, speaker, and changemaker, Nate believes the future belongs to those who dare to shape it.
A 2025 Semi-Finalist for Young New Zealander of the Year, he uses storytelling to connect people to the planet and inspire collective action. Through Gen-Z Aotearoa and his work in conservation and climate advocacy, he empowers young people to see that real change starts locally - in communities, schools, and everyday conversations.
For Nate, sustainability blooms as a kōwhai - resilient, connected, and balanced. It reflects his approach to life: “Look after your hauora and focus your energy on what truly matters. You’ll make a bigger impact when you pour yourself into a few kaupapa you deeply care about.”
Seeing a kiwi for the first time at Zealandia was a turning point - a reminder of what determined conservation can achieve. And even when his age presents barriers, he continues to prove what young people are capable of.
Guided by the whakataukī “Ko au te taiao, ko te taiao ko au” - I am the environment, and the environment is me - Nate believes Aotearoa’s superpower lies in our deep connection to nature. “We tramp in the bush, swim in our rivers, and grow up loving the outdoors. That connection makes us natural protectors.”
His hope: that everyone recognises nature as the backbone of our society and economy. His advice: “Start small - sign a petition, support a cause. Collective action is where real change begins.”
Read Nate’s full answers to BLOOMING Sustainability - and be inspired by the next generation leading Aotearoa’s future.
BLOOMING Sustainability Questionnaire
Name: Nate Wilbourne
Company & Title: Co-Director @ Gen-Z Aotearoa, Conservation & Climate Advocate
Website & LinkedIn Profile: www.natewilbourne.com & www.linkedin.com/in/natewilbourne
* Guiding Values | Kaupapa
If sustainability were a flower blooming in your life, what would it look like? What nurtures it?
Kōwhai
A quote, personal motto or whakataukī that reflects your vision:
I guess my personal motto is to ‘leave the world in a better place than I found it’ – which to me looks like ensuring that my children and mokopuna get to inherit a world where our biodiversity thrives, people and the planet are put before profit, and everyone gets what they need to live their lives.
If you could mentor a rising change-maker in Aotearoa, what advice would you share?
As exciting as opportunities are that come your way, make sure you look after your hauroa and can find a balance. It is totally ok to say ‘no’ and turndown opportunities, because burnout is the worst. Explore, learn, and find out what kind of spaces you want to work in and use your energy those (rather than contribute 1% of your energy to 100 different kaupapa, you can spread it, 30% to 3 different ones) you will create a way bigger impact by doing so too!!
* Leading Change | Arataki
A key moment in your journey that shaped your path:
Seeing a kiwi for the first time in the wild (well, arguably in the wild) at Zealandia! It was so cool to see the efforts of conservationists in the area paying off, and now whenever I am in Wellington, I can see and hear kaakaa throughout the CBD which is incredible!
What’s the main challenge you face in driving sustainability within your sector?
Age is the biggest challenge. Being under 18 means I’m not always taken seriously, and there are lots of legal things I can’t do yet (for instance, set up a charitable trust), and this often leads to people assuming I’m not ‘mature’ or ‘experienced’ enough to make a real impact.
An area you need more support with:
Funding – especially being a young person trying to navigate this space, no one teaches you how to apply for funding grants or manage your finances, but on top of that, securing funding for projects.
An Indigenous perspective you admire and want people to be mindful of:
The whakatauki “Ko au te taiao, ko te taiao ko au” (I am the environment, and the environment is me) is such a simple idea, but it really captures how the maaori worldview sees nature and humans as one.
What do you think is Aotearoa’s superpower in creating a sustainable future?
I think it’s how connected we are to nature. We all tramp in the bush, swim in our rivers, and grow up loving the outdoors. That connection makes it easy to see why we need to protect it, and it gives us a real chance to work together to make a difference.
* Surfing the Green Wave | Kakariki
Events in Aotearoa or globally that you think are must-attend:
Any webinar or event organized by Forest & Bird, local grassroots and community events are also super cool to meet and learn from people in your area, and any environmental conference in the UAE is a must – they invest so much to make these events a success, you will be blown away by them!
A sustainable initiative or project in Aotearoa that deserves more attention:
Forest & Bird Youth – such a cool space and organization that helps empower young conservationists to work with other young people, whilst giving them the tools to be leaders, run events, and even work alongside leading NZ conservation policy and communication advocates!
If your work could plant one seed of change for the future, what would it be?
For everyone to understand that nature is the backbone of our society and economy.
The leader(s) you endorse for a future edition of Blooming Sustainability:
Bianca Ranson, Courtney Davies, Sophie Handford, and Andy Johnston are all awesome!!
* One actionable takeaway for our readers to make a change today for a brighter tomorrow:
Sign some petitions available on eNGO websites to better protect nature!
