Tupua Urlich
Auckland, New Zealand
Founding Member, Trustee VOYCE-whakarongo mai. Kia Ora, My name's Tupua Urlich, after spending 12 years of my life under the care of state (CYF) i have been one of the lucky ones who got amazing opportunities. Together with other young people, philanthropy, NGO & government we are using our lives, our experiences, our voices to better the future for our vulnerable tamariki in New Zealand. Through advising on public policy and working with the system. The change makers are all of us, as communities, as towns, as cities, as a nation. We make this place home, it's time to make our most precious taonga, our tamariki belong.my skills, knowledge & experience
Social/Family/Charity
Kia Ora, My name's Tupua Urlich. I'm an advocate for children and young people who grow up in the care of the state (CYF) having spent the majority of my own life from the ages 5-17 under state care. I experienced much trauma, pain, and hopelessness. I know use my dark past and the knowledge I have of the system to make positive changes to the laws around the care and protection of our young people in New Zealand. in 2015 I was a member of Minister of social development Hon Anne Tolley's Youth Advisory Panel, where I worked with government in the review of child youth and family. Which resulted in child youth and family being shut down and a new system with a better structure being established. I am now trustee and a founding member of VOYCE whakarongo mai (Voice Of Young Care Experienced) advocacy and connection organisation for children in care. When we are functioning at full capacity in a few time, we will be the largest advocacy and connection organisation for children in state care in the world! My belief is that the government have a job to do when unfortunate circumstances arise. They have failed many generations in the past. They haven't invested in the experienced, well now they have. The knowledge is care experienced people have is the most powerful and effective resource the government has when it comes to make a system that's effective.