@Daniel Gamboa.

Come with me to the best night of the year ! @nzeroftheyear The New Zealander of the Year Awards Gala! Congratulations to the amazing @eteroal for winning Young New Zealander of the Year 2025 !

I’m in my winter era! #norway #snow #winter #tromsø #winterland #whale #dog #adventure #holiday

M A L A Y S I A ! 😎 on top of the world!

Our #NZNRYC team with our newly appointed 2026 Refugee Youth Leaders at our annual Wānanga !

A refugee child whose life was saved through resettlement is now at the UN, advocating to ensure resettlement remains a durable, reliable, and global protection tool for those still waiting.

There’s something special about watching the person you love learn from the person who raised you 💛 While in Colombia, Mitchell learned how to make buñuelos from my Colombian abuela — and my heart can’t take it 🥹 #latinfamily #buñuelos #colombiankitchen #grandmaslove #kiwi #colombia

Como dijo Karol G ! De aquí , yo no me voy sin haber vivido. Voy a gozar la vida mientras respiro! Contar historias y no tiempo perdido!

I became a refugee at the age of 12. For a long time, all I could feel was pain and shame about being a refugee. I hated the label. I hated being seen as less than others. I hated the suffering that came with being a refugee. I know what it’s like to go to bed without food. I know what it’s like to be excluded, to be racially attacked. I know how brave my mum and I had to be just to survive. But I’ve reclaimed the word refugee. To be a refugee is to be courageous, resilient, brave, smart, and innovative. I am a refugee — and always will be — because our voices can’t be erased, and our experiences and skills can’t be dismissed. Receiving the Local Hero Medal as part of the New Zealander of the Year Awards @nzeroftheyear means a lot to me. It’s a recognition of the struggles we carry, the strength we show, and the work we continue to do as former refugees. For me, this medal represents every refugee youth who has ever felt invisible, unheard, or excluded. It’s about showing that our contributions matter and that leadership comes from lived experience. I’m a proud refugee, a proud Colombian, and a proud New Zealander. I’m forever grateful to Aotearoa for giving me a safe place to call home. Uplifting refugee youth to take up space and lead change is not just my passion — it’s my responsibility. If we don’t support each other as a community, who will? To all of the refugee youth who nominated me — thank you. Being named your Local Hero is something I will carry with pride for the rest of my life.

Guatapé Colombia! 🇨🇴 in love with this beautiful town! #colombia #travel #guatape

At our Summer Camp 2025, our board Chair @yibethsjourney and youth leaders pulled off an epic surprise to congratulate our CEO @daniel.gamboasa for being named a semifinalist for Young New Zealander of the Year – Te Mātātahi o te Tau! 🎊 @nzeroftheyear Daniel has been the driving force behind so many opportunities for refugee youth across Aotearoa. His dedication, leadership, and endless support have shaped our journeys, and we couldn’t be prouder to see him recognised at this level. Watch as our Chair and youth leaders celebrate this incredible moment—it’s all love, gratitude, and a whole lot of excitement! 💙 Let’s cheer Daniel on all the way to the finals!

Above the most beautiful sea ! El mar de los 7 colores! San Andres, Colombia

From arriving in Aotearoa with no English to leading national and global change, @ucnz Young New Zealander of the Year Semi-Finalist @daniel.gamboasa is unstoppable. As co-founder and CEO of the @nznryc_official , he’s championed the rights of over 7,000 refugee-background rangatahi, raised over half a million dollars for their futures, and made history by putting refugee youth at decision-making tables. A fierce advocate, a proud queer leader, and one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s youngest JPs – Daniel is fuelling real change. Read his story, and meet your other 2025 Semi-Finalists at nzawards.org.nz. #nzoty2025