Tiapapata teenager Aniva Clarke was the recipient of the Pacific Emerging Leadership Award at New Zealand’s Sunpix Pacific Peoples Awards last Friday night. 

The award recognised the 17-year-old’s work as a Pacific environmental and child rights advocate and making meaningful change internationally and at the grassroots level. At the age of 15, Ms. Clarke served as the Pacific youth representative on the United Nations Children's Advisory Team. This group has advised the Committee on the Rights of the Child about children’s environmental rights. 

She also contributed to the drafting of General Comment 26 and the Global Children’s Charter, giving governments worldwide definitive guidance on protecting children’s environmental rights in the face of the climate crisis. Recently Ms. Clarke gave the opening speech on behalf of children and youth to the 5^th Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Ms. Clarke said she was honoured to receive the recognition from the Pacific Peoples Awards and used the opportunity to emphasise the importance of children having a voice in the climate crisis.

“I’m deeply honoured to receive this recognition from the Pacific Peoples Awards. This award highlights the importance of children and young people being an integral part of responses to the climate crisis," she said. 

"It also highlights that Pacific children and youth can bring so much to the table with our cultural values and lived experience of climate change. Our youth must be part of the solution to create a better planet for our future.

“I’m so grateful to my family, especially my parents Leiataualesa Daryl and Fiona, and my sister Elei for their love and support for me. I’m also deeply appreciative of the guidance I’ve received from my mentors, Lagipoiva Cherelle Jackson and Justice Vui Clarence Nelson.” 

Her grassroots climate activism began at the age of 10 when she founded the “Eco Toa” environment club at Vaiala Beach School. Her local community advocacy led her to become the first youth ambassador for Pacific Women in Climate Change Network, a Samoa Observer’s Person of the Year 2019 and Pasifika Climate Advisor for Child Rights International Network. 

After moving to Aotearoa New Zealand in 2021 to further her studies, Ms. Clarke revived the Diocesan School for Girls’ Pasifika Group to share her passion for Samoan culture and dance. This year, she has served as Diocesan’s first Samoan Head Prefect. 

Over 400 people attended the 8^th Sunpix Pacific Peoples Award held at the Due Drop Event Centre in Auckland to celebrate Pacific achievers and contributors across seven categories. Ms. Clarke's award recognises outstanding Pacific youth leadership and the valuable foundation that Pacific youth leadership creates for the future.

Aniva is the eldest daughter of Supreme Court Justice Leiataualesa Daryl Clarke and senior lawyer Fiona Ey. The award show will be televised on a special edition of this weekend’s Tagata Pasifika programme.