Executive Director
Marek Townley
Marek works for a Member of Parliament and is studying towards a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts at Victoria University of Wellington.
He is passionate about engaging young people to be informed, active citizens who participate in the political sphere, equipped with the tools and knowledge to influence the issues they care about.
Marek has previously worked for Auckland Council and the Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives, and has supported a number of community organisations as a volunteer.
Marek was nominated by CYNZ to attend 33Sixty Singapore, the Commonwealth youth leadership programme. He’s excited to lead CYNZ’s work bringing leadership development opportunities to young people throughout New Zealand.
He is passionate about engaging young people to be informed, active citizens who participate in the political sphere, equipped with the tools and knowledge to influence the issues they care about.
Marek has previously worked for Auckland Council and the Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives, and has supported a number of community organisations as a volunteer.
Marek was nominated by CYNZ to attend 33Sixty Singapore, the Commonwealth youth leadership programme. He’s excited to lead CYNZ’s work bringing leadership development opportunities to young people throughout New Zealand.
Deputy Executive Director
Evangeline Maffey
Originally from Christchurch, Eva is studying towards a conjoint Law and Arts degree at Victoria University of Wellington. She also works for the Office of the Clerk in Parliament’s debating chamber; the NZ Business and Parliament Trust; and Victoria University.
Eva volunteers for UN Youth New Zealand, which aims to educate and empower young people. She is also a Policy Intern for the Council for International Development. Eva believes in the effectiveness of international organisations, and the power of cooperative actions for peace and health. Issues that Eva is particularly passionate about are equal pay and civic education in schools. In her (limited) spare time she enjoys reading classics, exploring Wellington’s café culture and making maps. Eva feels CYNZ is a fantastic way to get youth engaged and connected from a local to international level, and inspire them to be active in their communities around New Zealand.
Eva volunteers for UN Youth New Zealand, which aims to educate and empower young people. She is also a Policy Intern for the Council for International Development. Eva believes in the effectiveness of international organisations, and the power of cooperative actions for peace and health. Issues that Eva is particularly passionate about are equal pay and civic education in schools. In her (limited) spare time she enjoys reading classics, exploring Wellington’s café culture and making maps. Eva feels CYNZ is a fantastic way to get youth engaged and connected from a local to international level, and inspire them to be active in their communities around New Zealand.
Outreach and Engagement Officer
Madison Burgess-Smith
Madison is passionate about youth engagement and the development of exceptional young leaders. Having spent time in delegated leadership positions across cultural groups, sporting codes and school and university communities, she brings a range of perspectives and experiences to CYNZ.
Madison is studying towards a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations and a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and International Business at Victoria University of Wellington. She is an alumnus of the 33Sixty Glasgow programme and has a strong interest in the Commonwealth and the role it plays in promoting development, peace and democracy. Outside of her work with CYNZ she is employed by Victoria University. In her role, she assists in providing pastoral care and fostering academic achievement within young people.
As Outreach and Engagement Officer, Madison identifies opportunities for CYNZ to work with like-minded organisations and networks, and leads CYNZ's partnerships and collaboration with schools and NGOs.
Madison is studying towards a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations and a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance and International Business at Victoria University of Wellington. She is an alumnus of the 33Sixty Glasgow programme and has a strong interest in the Commonwealth and the role it plays in promoting development, peace and democracy. Outside of her work with CYNZ she is employed by Victoria University. In her role, she assists in providing pastoral care and fostering academic achievement within young people.
As Outreach and Engagement Officer, Madison identifies opportunities for CYNZ to work with like-minded organisations and networks, and leads CYNZ's partnerships and collaboration with schools and NGOs.
Communications Officer
Anna Prestidge
Anna Prestidge is a Laws (Honours) and Arts student at Victoria University Wellington. Anna was first introduced to CYNZ when she attended the 33Sixty Singapore programme in 2016. Her involvement with the organisation brings together two of Anna’s greatest passions: bringing awareness to social issues, and helping young people unlock their full potential.
Anna is strongly academic, having been awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship in 2014 and the University of Auckland Scholarship (rescinded), and being included twice on the Dean’s List. Outside of academia, she has taken up a range of leadership and community opportunities. She currently works as a Residential Advisor at one of Victoria’s largest halls and volunteered with Community Law Centre as part of their education team. In her spare time, Anna is an avid traveller, a classical singer, keen skier and enjoys creative writing.
Anna acts as a mentor to the Executive Committee, and particularly to its newer members, and provides support with welfare, time management and project coordination.
Anna is strongly academic, having been awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship in 2014 and the University of Auckland Scholarship (rescinded), and being included twice on the Dean’s List. Outside of academia, she has taken up a range of leadership and community opportunities. She currently works as a Residential Advisor at one of Victoria’s largest halls and volunteered with Community Law Centre as part of their education team. In her spare time, Anna is an avid traveller, a classical singer, keen skier and enjoys creative writing.
Anna acts as a mentor to the Executive Committee, and particularly to its newer members, and provides support with welfare, time management and project coordination.
Finance and Sponsorship Officer
Shelley Addison-Bell
Shelley is a young professional. She studied at the University of Auckland completing a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce. She currently works for a Member of Parliament. Shelley has lived in Auckland her whole life and is driven to growing CYNZ and providing opportunities for young people to be global citizens.
Shelley recognises the importance of the Commonwealth’s values, the connections it provides and its value for international peace and trade. She has been involved in the youth political wing space, and aims to empower communities and young people. She has been a part of several leadership programmes including the University of Auckland Business School's Women Mentoring Programme, the YWCA's Future Leaders Programme, the Spirit of Adventure Trust and Outward Bound.
Shelley has a strong belief in being a changemaker, specifically in equality of outcomes for women and succeeding regardless of one's background.
Shelley is responsible for CYNZ's budgets and finances, as well as identifying sponsorship and grant opportunities to secure a sustainable funding base for the organisation.
Shelley recognises the importance of the Commonwealth’s values, the connections it provides and its value for international peace and trade. She has been involved in the youth political wing space, and aims to empower communities and young people. She has been a part of several leadership programmes including the University of Auckland Business School's Women Mentoring Programme, the YWCA's Future Leaders Programme, the Spirit of Adventure Trust and Outward Bound.
Shelley has a strong belief in being a changemaker, specifically in equality of outcomes for women and succeeding regardless of one's background.
Shelley is responsible for CYNZ's budgets and finances, as well as identifying sponsorship and grant opportunities to secure a sustainable funding base for the organisation.
Auckland Liaison
Veisinia Maka
Veisinia is currently an Economics and Politics student at the University of Auckland. She is the Chairperson and Howick representative of Auckland's Youth Advisory Panel, which has given her the opportunity to advise organisations such as Auckland Transport, Te Ohu Mana Rangatahi and individuals such as the Deputy Mayor on pressing issues that are relevant to many young people.
Outside her role as Chairperson, Veisinia mentors the Howick Youth Council which she chaired in 2015 and 2016. Veisinia currently leads the educational workshops of the newly-established Korero NZ, which aims to provide transparency and accessibility for young
people on the topic of politics. Veisinia also volunteers for UN Youth New Zealand. Veisinia is incredibly passionate about advocating for young people on topics such as youth
engagement and civic participation.
As a new addition to the Executive Committee, Veisinia is looking forward to contributing to CYNZ's organisational growth within New Zealand as well as working to establish a strong presence within Auckland. She is also excited to help deliver content and events that aim to engage many young people with the fundamental values of the Commonwealth.
Outside her role as Chairperson, Veisinia mentors the Howick Youth Council which she chaired in 2015 and 2016. Veisinia currently leads the educational workshops of the newly-established Korero NZ, which aims to provide transparency and accessibility for young
people on the topic of politics. Veisinia also volunteers for UN Youth New Zealand. Veisinia is incredibly passionate about advocating for young people on topics such as youth
engagement and civic participation.
As a new addition to the Executive Committee, Veisinia is looking forward to contributing to CYNZ's organisational growth within New Zealand as well as working to establish a strong presence within Auckland. She is also excited to help deliver content and events that aim to engage many young people with the fundamental values of the Commonwealth.