Fierce Hope: Youth Activism in Aotearoa

Description

Youth activism has been a defining feature of Aotearoa's recent political landscape. Amidst these unsettling political times haunted by climate change, colonisation, ongoing inequality and the upheaval of the pandemic, the political actions of young New Zealanders are a source of inspiration, challenge and renewal. Fierce Hope opens the doors on six influential activist groups: ActionStation, Generation Zero (Auckland), InsideOUT, JustSpeak, Protect Ihumatao, and Thursdays in Black (Auckland). Participants from these groups, through interviews, explain vividly what future they want for our country and how we can get there. They address an array of urgent issues, from indigenous rights to the justice system and imprisonment; from climate change to gender and sexual inequalities. In their voices we hear hope, anger, despair and anxiety - emotions which inform and galvanise activism. A connecting thread is how people within these different groups collectively negotiate their visions and strategies to achieve change. Their stories provide important insights into the immense demands of activism and help inform radical new ways of living and being together in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Karen Nairn (University of Otago) is based in Otepoti/Dunedin. She draws on her geography and education background to engage in interdisciplinary research on young people. The activism project builds on earlier research with young people who grew up during New Zealand's economic reforms and explored their post-high school paths in the book 'Children of Rogernomics: A neoliberal generation leaves school'. Judith Siglo (University of Otago) has a multidisciplinary background and her research focuses on children, young people, and family well-being particularly from a rights perspective. She also has an interest in research methodologies, particularly qualitative and mixed methods research. She co-authored 'Children of Rogernomics: A neoliberal generation leaves school'. Carisa R. Showden (University of Auckland) is an interdisciplinary scholar whose work traverses feminist political and social theory, gender and politics, and law and society scholarship. She is the author of 'Choices Women Make: Agency in Domestic Violence, Assisted Reproduction, and Sex Work' (Minnesota); and co-author of 'Youth Who Trade Sex in the U.S.: Intersectionality, Agency, Vulnerability' (Temple). Kyle R. Matthews is a PhD candidate at the University of Otago, researching youth activism and radicalism in Aotearoa. His thesis explores how activist strategies and tactics are shaped by state, state actors, public discourses, and activist groups' dynamics. He completed his Masters in Peace and Conflict Studies, researching New Zealand peace histories and nonviolence theory. Joanna Kidman (Ngati Maniapoto, Ngati Raukawa) is Professor of Maori education at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. Her research focuses on the politics of indigeneity, Maori youth and settler-colonial nationhood. She has worked extensively in Maori communities impacted by the New Zealand Wars and is co-author of 'Fragments from a Contested Past: Remembrance, Denial and New Zealand History (BWB).