Date: January 20, 2015

Nominations open for 2015 Hastings Youth Councillors

Hastings District Council is seeking nominations from young people who would like to become part of the Youth Council.

Mayor Lawrence Yule says “Becoming a Youth Councillor offers young people hands on experience in decision making and the opportunity to learn all about how the Council goes about its daily business.”

Lawrence Yule says “A Youth Councillor is not necessarily a person who has achieved high academic standards or is the captain of a sports team. A good Youth Councillor is someone who is passionate about Hastings, its youth and has a keen interest in local government and decision making. A potential Youth Councillor could be a school leaver who is aged between 16 and 19.”

The Youth Council has a maximum of 15 people and provides support and gives feedback to Council on activities and opportunities for youth around the district.

Lawrence Yule says “Youth Councillors are expected to attend monthly or fortnightly meetings, help organise the Youth Potential awards, be a part of events that have been confirmed by the Youth Council and attend an overnight retreat. This experience can be very rewarding and we have seen many of our former Youth Councillors grow as people during their time on Council.”

2014 Youth Councillor Amy Martin who studied at Havelock North High School says "Being on the Youth Council gave me an appreciation of just how much work goes on behind the scenes. It gave me a great insight into what is done by council and the community that helps makes our city a great place to live, work and play.”

Fellow Youth Councillor Tessa Williams was a year 13 student at Woodford House. She says “Young people want to see Hastings grow and develop, but we also want to maintain the history and the culture of the city as well. My time on the Youth Council demonstrated just how important it is for the young people of the district to have a voice at this level. We were able to bring ideas to the table that highlighted the needs and concerns of young people.”

You can place a nomination for yourself or for someone else to become a Hastings Youth Councillor by going to www.hastingsdc.govt.nz/youth

For further enquiries please contact paddys@hdc.govt.nz

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