Rangatahi at Waitangi say the decisions being made today must be grounded in the wellbeing of future generations, with many calling for stronger action on climate change and greater Māori participation in decision-making.
Layla Bailey-McDowell of RNZ
Taane Aruka Te Aho, who has been attending kaupapa alongside iwi leaders in Te Tai Tokerau, said being present in those spaces was about preparing the next generation of leaders.
"It's important for us to understand what sort of mahi goes into the iwi chairs forum because we are the next generation of leaders," he said.
"Because we want to be a part of it. We want to make a difference to ensure that our mokopuna, to ensure that our uri whakatipu are living in flourishing futures."
Te Aho was one of the rangatahi leaders of Te Kāhu Pōkere - the group that travelled to Brazil for COP30 last year on behalf of Te Pou Take Āhuarangi, the climate change arm of the National Iwi Chairs Forum.
Tumai Cassidy, a Ngāi Tahu rangatahi leader who is also attending Waitangi this year, said caring for the environment was central to that future.
"Something that's quite close to my heart is around our environment and how do we look after the environment and how do we stop these impacts from climate change that are battering our communities," he said, adding that rangatahi had a crucial role to play.
"I think it's important for rangatahi to be at the table, to listen, to learn, so that when they're of that age where they're leading their iwi, they have a broad range of experiences, all that history, those kind of things to inform our future decision making," he said.
"But I think it's good for rangatahi to be at the table and offer a different perspective as well."
Iwi leaders say that involvement is already being seen on the ground
Pou Tangata chairperson Rahui Papa said rangatahi were not just observing this year's iwi chairs forum, but actively helping run them.
"Some of the rangatira, especially from Te Kahu o Taonui, have designated some of their rangatahi, and they're wandering around, they're being the hosts, they're taking part in actually the facilitation of the hui, which is awesome," he said.
"So you have some of the older folk that sit as chairs and things like that, but they're actually bringing an air of succession into the facilitation of these hui."
Papa said rangatahi from across the country had also travelled to Waitangi to help shape what their own future pathways could look like.
"They will be the stewards, they will be the custodians and the guardians of all aspects of te ao Māori in their time."
Ngāti Kawa Taituha, Te Tii Marae chair said rangatahi involvement reflected a long line of intergenerational responsibility.
"It's just again, adding and enhancing the mana of our tūpuna, the signatories, and then down to us, the descendants," he said.
"And here we are today, carrying out all that mahi of our forebearers. Putting in all the effort to set up our next generation. Obviously, that's what it's all about for us."
He said rangatahi were playing roles both behind the scenes and in visible leadership spaces during the commemorations.
"I think this is kind of really cool to see these groups of rangatahi coming to the marae, being part of the pōwhiri," he said.
"These groups here are really organised leadership groups, and specifically honing in on really being in tune with our taumata, and capturing all this kōrero."
'Haere ki te pōti'
With an election year approaching, some rangatahi also linked their hopes for mokopuna with political participation.
Aruka Te Aho encouraged whānau to focus on their own communities and lift Māori voter turnout.
"We have three options," he said.
"One is to elect a government and work with a government that prioritises te iwi Māori and the environment to increase climate funding.
"Two, we stop moaning about what this government can't do for us and seek funding opportunities globally or elsewhere to ensure that we get that 'moni' motuhake. Or thirdly, we just keep doing what we're doing and suffer the consequences."
He said increasing Māori participation in voting was key.
"What we need to do is look at our own backyard, look at our own rohe and see what we can do to get soldiers out in terms of getting the voting up to ensure that Māori have a seat at the table so that we can make real change," he said.
"Haere ki te pōti."
Cassidy's focus this election was centred on the environment.
"Vote for the taiao, vote for the environment. Without the environment, we're not going to be here," he said.
The focus on mokopuna and future generations is also being carried by a group of rangatahi taking part in a six-day hīkoi from Cape Rēinga to Waitangi, due to arrive on 6 February.
Many of the young people involved say they are marching to stand up for future generations and to send a message about honouring Te Tiriti.
The hīkoi is expected to make its way across Waitangi following waka celebrations.
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