Rangatahi Musicians Release Powerful Climate Action Album
On 19 April 2026, Holding Space Aotearoa and Songwriters 4 Climate Action (SW4CA) held a soft album release for SW4CA, Vol.3 (Rangatahi), a youth-focused climate action album available on Bandcamp, with a full release across all streaming platforms to follow on 1 May for NZ Music Month.
Featuring 10 original songs written and performed by Rangatahi aged 18 and under, the album offers a raw and honest reflection on our changing environment and the future young people are inheriting.
To celebrate the release, SW4CA had a Showcase at The Button Factory which was part of Auckland’s Eco Fest 2026.
‘It was a joy to see the rangatahi take to the stage so naturally. I’m in awe of their songwriting, but also their courage to share in front of an audience who were blown away by their talent’ says Ravi, a SW4CA mentor.
The songs on SW4CA,Vol.3 (Rangatahi) come from a generation carrying climate anxiety, grief, numbness and frustration at what can feel like ‘avoidable damage’ to the world around them. But what emerges from this collection isn’t hopelessness, but bravery, optimism and a deep sense of care.
“No matter how bad things get in the climate crisis, we should keep moving forward and never give up,” says one artist featured on the album.
Across the project, rangatahi speak with honesty, sadness, nostalgia and with a call to action.
“If we really love our planet like we say we do, why don’t we prove it?”
The album is now available digitally to purchase on Bandcamp, with the group deciding to donate any proceeds to local environmental champion: Forest & Bird.
Developed through a series of workshops, an open call for submissions, kōrero, and studio sessions, the project supported young songwriters to create at a professional level. For many participants, stepping into the premium Roundhead Studios was a surreal experience. “It felt like a dream,” one artist shared. “I’d never been in a studio before.”
Each artist had only 2 – 4 hours to record the majority of their song with a few additions. Beyond the novelty and excitement, it was a great opportunity to grow as aspiring artists, be part of something that feels good and be heard.
“The album touched on many perspectives and genres from folk, pop, rock to rnb and each song has something really special about it… a little hook that keeps playing back in my mind,” says Ema Barton, the driving force behind this project. “It’s wholesome and confronting at the same time, hearing young voices singing about these big topics but it feels really important for us to listen and spotlight them right now.”
