The Youth Advisory Panel offers advice based on their experiences living as young people aged 14 to 24 years, to help us improve outcomes for this community.
They will:
Esther O’Donnell is a wāhine Pākehā with a passion for community-building and youth empowerment. She is currently a student at Waipapa Taumata Rau / the University of Auckland and is pursuing a degree in Geography.
Esther has experience working with rangatahi and the Waitematā Local Board to co-create Meantime, a youth engagement platform.
In 2025, Esther was invited to deliver a keynote address at the inaugural AUT Generation 2100 Climate Forum, where she shared her experience founding a community library project. In recognition of her mahi, she received a Waitematā Good Citizens’ Award in the Children and Young People category.
Joshua Taiga Smith is a University of Auckland student completing a conjoint Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Global Studies. He has represented New Zealand in regional youth diplomacy initiatives, including participation in the ASEAN Foundation Model ASEAN Meeting in Indonesia and previously studied in China on a government scholarship.
Joshua currently serves as Equity Officer for New Zealand Model United Nations and has been involved in youth governance initiatives focused on accessibility and inclusive participation.
He is particularly interested in strengthening youth engagement in civic decision-making and ensuring young people from diverse backgrounds have meaningful access to opportunities and public institutions.
He joins the Youth Advisory Panel, committed to inclusive governance, thoughtful policy engagement and constructive collaboration between young people and Auckland Council.
Karamvir Talwar has a background in law and economics and is interested in the role communities play in shaping the future of the places they live in.
He has a particular interest in supporting young people and ensuring their perspectives are considered in conversations that affect their communities.
Through advisory and community involvement, he aims to contribute to discussions that help create positive opportunities and outcomes for younger generations.
Kritika Selach is a dedicated young leader with a deep-seated passion for the future of Auckland.
She brings a wealth of governance experience to the Panel, having served a term on the Auckland Council Youth Advisory Panel, as an Auckland District Councillor for the Automobile Association (AA) and as a Local Advisory Committee Member for Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
Professionally, Kritika has a background in finance and banking with ASB Bank, and she is an active member of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network.
Combining her professional expertise with a strong commitment to community advocacy, Kritika is focused on ensuring Auckland remains a vibrant, inclusive and forward-thinking city for all its residents.
Rachel Gu is currently a student at Auckland University studying a Bachelor of Science specializing in Biomedical Sciences.
She is passionate about youth engagement and empowerment and has been involved with Younite (Devonport Takapuna Youth Council) and Bays Youth Council (Hibiscus and Bays Youth Council) during her time in high school. Through these experiences, she was able to work alongside the local board and community organizations such as ANCAD, Neighbourhood Support and Shore Junction.
Rachel was born in China and lived in Vanuatu for a year and a half before coming to New Zealand. She aims to use her multicultural upbringing to serve youth across all cultures and backgrounds to ensure that their voices are heard.
Shakeel is a lifelong Aucklander and current Law student with a focus on Public Law and Local Government. He is actively involved in youth organisations that champion climate justice, civic participation, and equitable public policy, developing strong skills in advocacy, community engagement, and collaborative leadership.
Passionate about empowering young people and strengthening local government, Shakeel is committed to ensuring that the diverse young voices of Tāmaki Makaurau are meaningfully represented in decision-making processes.
Shakeel has previously served as a Youth Councillor for the Embassy of Ireland in New Zealand, an Advisor for the Youth Climate Collective and was elected as a U35 Representative for the Tertiary Education Union's National Council.
Zachariah Alaimoana is a first-generation New Zealand-born Samoan from the villages of Tafatafa, Falealili, and Falelatai. Raised and educated in South and Central Auckland, Zachariah is deeply committed to fostering the self-determination of high-needs individuals, families, and communities across Tāmaki Makaurau.
He holds a Bachelor of Health Sciences from Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland with intentions to pursue further studies in counselling.
Zachariah’s professional background spans retail, administration and community health settings throughout South Auckland, and he has actively engaged with initiatives including the Auckland Pasifika Health Initiative Student Association (UoA) and the Multiethnic Young Leaders Network.
As a young Pasifika health professional, Zachariah continues to utilise his personal insights and community-led skills to drive positive outcomes in all his endeavours.
The panel has a mixture of open formal business meetings and closed workshops each year. The panel meets approximately every six to eight weeks, excluding December and January.
Formal business meetings are open to the public and any elected members of Auckland Council.
Workshops are used for discussion between panel members, Governing Body members and relevant council staff.
For dates, agendas and minutes, visit Agendas and Minutes.
Email youthadvisory.panel@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to:
