Media Release
Office of the Mayor

31 March 2011
Mayor launches Youth Advisory Panel

The Mayor has announced details of the Auckland’s new Youth Advisory Panel, which meets for the first time this evening.

Len Brown established the panel after representatives of the region’s seven youth councils and forums called for a regional youth voice in the Auckland Council.

This panel will give young people a say in the new Auckland.

“The panel is a landmark achievement for the council,” says Len Brown. “It is an indication of how much we value our young people and their contributions to the new Auckland.

“As already shown by the Auckland Plan, the council is serious about Auckland being a great place for young people to live, learn, work and thrive.”

The Mayor has chosen Cr Michael Goudie to be a link between the panel and the council.

When Cr Goudie was first as a councillor in Rodney District in 2007 he was the youngest councillor in the history of that area.

“I hope other young people follow in my footsteps,” says Cr Goudie. “It’s not your age, it’s what you contribute that counts, and this Youth Advisory Panel will have a lot to contribute.

The Youth Advisory Panel will foster conversations between young people and the Auckland Council. It will communicate views of young people to the Auckland Council and connect young people with programmes and events.

The council is also hosting a Youth Summit on the Auckland Plan today. About 100 young people are gathered at the Aotea Centre, discussing the future direction of Auckland. This summit is one of many opportunities for public feedback on the Auckland Plan.

Youth Advisory Panel Members

Sam Crosby (Chair), Shore Youth Council
Wairaka Mason (Deputy Chair), Waitakere Youth Council
Aisha Noue, Papakura Youth Forum
Amy-Grace Rave, Waitakere Youth Council
Ben Dowdle, Manukau Youth Council
Dilan Madhav, Franklin Youth Forum
Flora Apulu, Manukau Youth Council
Hannah Reid, Auckland City Youth Council (Central)
Jason Mareroa, Papakura Youth Forum
Jonathan Miller, Manukau Youth Council
Joseph Bergin, (Devonport-Takapuna Local Board member) Shore Youth Council
Joshua James, South Kaipara Youth Forum
Kruger Schaumkel, Shore Youth Council
Lavin Kumar, Franklin Youth Forum
Megan Patterson, South Kaipara Youth Forum
Neelam Hari, Franklin Youth Forum
Olivia Rees, Auckland City Youth Council (Central)
Sheridan de Commick, Papakura Youth Forum
Troy Bond, formerly Waitakere Youth Council
Warratah Taogaga, South Kaipara Youth Forum
Vainga Pahulu, Auckland City Youth Council (Central)

Ends

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