The Hurunui District’s Youth Council has kicked off the year with its first meeting of 2018. Seven fresh faces will sit around the table this year, with Tessa Allen and Zoe Watson from Hawarden, Briar Rodgers from Cheviot, and Georgia McCabe, Jem Anderson- Gardener and Sophie Ware all from Hanmer Springs joining the group.

On the agenda at the first meeting was the selection of the Youth Council’s leadership duo, with two returning members Yonni Kepes from Waipara, elected as Chairperson and Ashleigh-Jane Brown from Hawarden elected as Deputy Chairperson.

Yonni says he is excited to start his third year on the Youth Council and continue his work as an advocate for the young people of the Hurunui. “This year I am taking on a new challenge as the Chairperson which is really exciting and I am looking forward to working with other members to make the best decisions for our young people.”

The Youth Council has discussed and cemented its main focusses for the year including its road safety campaign, developing the Hurunui Youth Strategy funded by Ministry of Social Development, rubbish-free schools, Waikari fun run, creating youth-friendly libraries and starting up tech labs in conjunction with the Hurunui Timebank.

Mayor Winton Dalley says this year the Youth Council has a lot of new faces and a new Facilitator, Krystal Jennings, and this will bring a fresh look and enthusiasm to the youth voice of the Hurunui. “We are also lucky enough to retain the experience of Yonni and Ashleigh, and have them sitting in the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson positions this year,” he says.

“The Youth Council adds so much to our District and it is a credit to the youth of the Hurunui that their voices form such a constructive part of our democratic processes.”

ENDS

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