Young council realised

“There may be a future mayor among your ranks,” noted Mayor Meng Foon in his speech to welcome the newly established Gisborne District Youth Council.

Thirteen young locals aged between 12 and 21 years old were sworn in to the Gisborne District Youth Council (GDYC) at a ceremony in council chambers last Friday evening.

The ceremony involved making a pledge and signing a declaration with the Mayor, forming the group into an advisory council that mirrors the Gisborne District council.

“There is a youth councillor represented for each of the 13 district wards, led by the elected chairperson, Isaac Hughes and deputy chairperson, Te Wai Coulston,” says Mayor Meng,

“We have asked these young people to step forward to give a youth perspective on issues facing Gisborne District council, to tell us what’s important to them, what affects them, and if we are doing a good job for young people in our district.”

Te Wai says he became a youth councillor to “represent myself and my peers in an initiative which would work towards the benefit of our city's youth. I also feel obligated to contribute to the betterment of our home, and leading on, in one way or another, to bettering our world as a whole.”

Guest speaker Leah Wilkie, roused the new councillors with inspiring words, “Don't be afraid to be yourself, be the change you want to see in your community.”

The group of young councillors represent a range of ages and backgrounds.

Te Aroha Devon is 19 and works at JNL. “It is an absolute privilege to be in this role, I’d like to think that I represent a voice for the working class youth here in Te Tairawhiti. In saying that, we as a council are absolutely devoted and committed to bringing about good change using the resources that we have,” says Devon.

The young councillors will hold 8 meetings throughout 2015 to make recommendations to council committees.

“We have some innovative young minds in Tairawhiti and I’m keen to hear the fresh and resourceful ideas they will bring to the council table,” says Mayor Meng Foon.

Councillors Meredith Akuhata-Brown, Amber Dunn and Josh Wharehinga were in attendance to support the establishment of the GDYC.

Councillor Akuhata-Brown was very impressed with the high calibre of young people that were sworn in and looks forward to supporting the youth council that she advocated for.

“My dream is that maybe some of them would consider standing for council in the future, for now it’s exciting to think we have this added collective to speak into the Council decision making process.

“It’s a real positive for democracy!”

Youth councillor Coralie Kepa, Ruatoria, has just completed year 13. She says “the GDYC is the best opportunity for our rangatahi to be able to speak through us, I uphold a strong belief that our rangatahi have the power to reach their goals, create better and brighter futures for themselves, and we will be there to support them.”

The GDYC have begun a Facebook page and carried out surveys at the A&P Show earlier this year to begin engaging with local youth on their opinions.

ENDS

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