Youth Matters

Kawerau Youth Council 2008

As part of the KDC Youth Policy adopted by Council on 30 October 2007, one provision was to establish a Kawerau Youth Council. Applications were called and nine individuals selected from 25 applications received.

One of the Youth Council’s functions is to get the voice of youth across to full Council and this fills a gap that Council has been acutely aware of. Council is now being fed information from local youth that will be extremely valuable for future planning within Kawerau.

The inaugural meeting of the Kawerau Youth Council was held in July and met monthly thereafter through to October. The Youth Council will continue to meet on the first Monday of each month with a break each year from November to January to allow for school exams and the Christmas holiday break.

The Chairperson of the Youth Council is Mrs Liz Irving and the Deputy Chairperson is Justin Ross. Youth Council members ages range from 10 to 20 and at 10 years of age, Autumn Punga is the youngest member of the Youth Council.

Council recently appointed Cr. Stephen Tuhoro to the position of Mentor to the Youth Council and he is looking forward to this new role.

The Youth Council has, in its short duration, undertaken the following:-

Consulted with local youth on what projects to put a $40k grant from the Ministry of Youth Development towards
Hosted a visit from the Whakatane Youth Council
Compiled a Youth Survey that went out to Kawerau youth in November
Reported bi-monthly to the Kawerau District Council
Put questions to candidates standing in the 2008 General Election
Held discussions regarding a Dance / Art Studio for Kawerau youth.

Projects the 2009 Kawerau Youth Council will be developing include:-

Helping with the appointment of a Youth Co-ordinator
Helping with the appointment of one new member to the Youth Council
Planning and organising three youth events in Kawerau
Further investigations of a Dance / Art Studio for Kawerau youth
Constructing a local map of places of interest for young people
Establishing a Youth Website linked to Council’s Website
Establishing a Youth Council Bebo site.

Kawerau Youth Council Photo
Left to Right

Warren Irving, His Worship the Mayor - Malcolm Campbell, Cameron Mitchell, Zane Andrew, Zane Rangihika, Russell George - KDC CEO, Justin Ross - Deputy Chairperson, Autumn Punga, Chase Brady, Liz Irving - Chairperson.

For further information call The Administration Officer, 07 306 9009