School Strike 4 Climate Ōtautahi will be leading a
strike at 1pm on Friday 23 October 2026, at the Bridge of
Remembrance, Ōtautahi, Aotearoa.
We are striking to
keep the climate crisis in the forefront of voters’ minds
this general election. After marching through the city, we
will stage a mock interview with our teen SS4C members
acting as politicians of Aotearoa’s political parties,
with the aim of educating participants on the climate
policies they may be voting for.
SS4C Ōtautahi
believe it is vital that our political parties take
meaningful action towards the climate justice Aotearoa’s
people deserve, and are all held to account by the young
people this climate policy disproportionately
affects.
“We deserve more than mitigation,” says
Lincoln High School student and SS4C organiser Fiona
Matheson-Grant. “We need a government that fights for
climate justice.”
Around the world and here in
Aotearoa, we are already facing the catastrophic effects of
the climate crisis. Floods, droughts, and other natural
disasters are impacting communities at home and across the
globe, and if we continue to ignore the climate crisis,
these disasters will become more frequent and lead to
further loss of life.
This government has thus far
attacked many of our environmental protections, including Te
Tiriti, while sidelining experts like climate scientists,
mana whenua, and the Climate Change Commission in decision
making. It is essential that we elect a government here in
Aotearoa who will tackle the climate crisis with the urgency
it requires, so that the people and planet can thrive
together. Ka ora te whenua, ka ora te tangata – when the
land is well, the people are well.
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With this strike,
we aim to encourage eligible rangatahi to vote and to keep
the climate crisis in mind this election. In addition to
this, we hope to amplify the voice of us rangatahi who
cannot vote, as the young people of Aotearoa are
underrepresented in our democracy despite the fact that it
is our futures that will be impacted by the climate crisis
the most.
“I’m striking because I think youth
involvement in politics is vital for the future of our
planet,” says SS4C organiser and Cashmere High School
student JJ Mathias.
ABOUT US:
School Strike 4
Climate NZ is a youth-led movement made up of students from
across Aotearoa New Zealand who are calling for stronger
action on climate change. We work together to raise
awareness about environmental issues and encourage leaders
to make decisions that protect the planet and future
generations. Our movement believes that young people deserve
a voice in decisions about the future because climate change
will affect our lives the most. Through peaceful protests,
education, and community action, we aim to inspire change
and create a sustainable future for
everyone.
