aloha
My name is taylor finderup, and i am a 15 year old living in new zealand. my life has revolved around the ocean. ever since i was little i would be found at the beach, on a boogie board or water skiing. now as a teenager i have found that THE ENVIRONMENT AND surfing is my passion, and i am on the way to becoming a certified diver. after living in singapore for three years, i became exposed to the shark fin industry, and with a love of the ocean, i had an in depth understanding of how important apex predators are in the marine eco system. after years of living back in new zealand, i discovered that shark finning is going on back home, and i knew i wanted to do something to stop it. my campaign stop with finning is run be me, but i have the help of many incredibly youth who are willing to give up their time to help protest, collect signatures or give presentations. stop with finning now has a facebook page (find link above), stickers which we send out with out visual logo, shirts, posters and many other resources which are available by INQUIRy. i am also a VEGETARIAN AND very passionate animal rights advocate and volunteer with several wildlife, rights and conservation organisations including sea shepherd, forest & bird, greenpeace, huha, spca, safe, nz green party and the world wilDlife fund. i WAS ALSO NAMED THE NEW ZEALAND SHARK ALLIANCE YOUTH AMBASSADOR.
- 2014 Ministry of Youth Development Change Maker Award
- 2013 Kapiti Coast District Council Kaitiaki Award
- 2013 Young Wellingtonian of the Year Runner Up
- 2013 Inspiring Stories Trust 'Making A Difference' Award
- 2013 Inspiring Stories Trust 'People's Choice' Award
- 2013 Kapiti Coast District Council Kaitiaki Award
- 2013 Young Wellingtonian of the Year Runner Up
- 2013 Inspiring Stories Trust 'Making A Difference' Award
- 2013 Inspiring Stories Trust 'People's Choice' Award
WHILE OBVIOUSLY SHARK CONSERVATION IS MY MAIN OBJECTIVE, ALONG THE WAY I ALSO WANTED TO PROVE THAT YOUTH CAN MAKE A CHANGE AND BE LEADERS FOR THEIR PASSIONS. MY BIGGEST TOOL IN THE CAMPAIGN IS THE PUBLIC SPEAKING WORKSHOPS, TOURS AND PRESENTATIONS I DO. THIS INCLUDES TED TALKS, COMMUNITY MOVIE SCREENINGS FOLLOWED BY Q AND A'S, SPEAKING TIPS WORKSHOPS, MOTIVATION TALKS TO COLLEGES AND CONSERVATION DISCUSSIONS WITH CHILDREN. NOT ONLY DO I GO AROUND THE COUNTRY TO SPEAK, BUT I HAVE HELD DISCUSSIONS WITH CLASSROOMS OF CHILDREN OVERSEAS ON SKYPE AND VIDEO CHAT. IF YOU KNOW OF A GROUP, SCHOOL OR PERSON WHO WOULD SHOW INTEREST IN HAVING ME COME ALONG AND SHARE MY THOUGHTS, PLEASE CONTACT ME.