Media release

24 July 2015

Youth Advisory Panel welcomes new members and reflects on a year of achievements

Mayor Len Brown will welcome new members and farewell those retiring from the Auckland Council Youth Advisory Panel on Monday 27 July at a formal ceremony attended by parents, council elected representatives and guests.

Eight members join the panel on Monday, representing the local board areas of Albert-Eden, Franklin, Kaipatiki, Maungakiekie-Tamaki, Otara-Papatoetoe, Puketapapa, Rodney and Waiheke.

The Youth Advisory Panel was developed as a mayoral initiative in 2011 and provides advice on council’s policies, plans, strategies and bylaws and on the interests of young people. It is made up of 21 young people aged between 12 and 24, nominated from Auckland’s 21 local boards.

Mayor Len Brown says the Youth Advisory Panel provides council with strategic ‘big picture’ advice on issues important to youth and alert council to their critical community concerns.

“Youth are the Auckland citizens of tomorrow and it’s important they are listened to,” he says.

“The advisory panels, overall, allow us to work across generations, ethnicities and cultures as part of creating the world’s most liveable city.”

Youth Advisory Panel Chair Flora Apulu says the induction of new members is also an opportune time to acknowledge the importance of giving young people a voice in local government matters and reflect on some of the panel’s significant recent achievements.

“So often in society young people are left out of discussions that are relevant to them. The Youth Advisory Panel is about turning that around and making sure young people are heard but also counted as valuable contributors to decisions on the development of our region.”

“Perhaps the initiative the panel is most proud of is our role in co-designing I Am Auckland - The Children and Young Peoples Strategic Action Plan. The plan acts as our mandate and was based on the voices of over 6000 children and young people across the Auckland region,” she says.

The panel has recently worked with the council bylaws team, providing feedback on the Local Alcohol Policy and the placement of liquor licenses around schools, and on the draft Local Approved Products Policy, with a focus on minimising the harm of psychoactive substances on young people.

They have also been heavily involved in the Mayor’s Youth Employment Traction Plan and JobFest, looking at strategies to increase young people’s engagement in youth employment creation programmes.

Most recently the panel has started working with council staff in the lead-up to the local government elections in October 2016, providing advice on engaging young people to enroll, vote and stand for the elections.

Flora Apulu will open the ceremony on Monday. Mayor Len Brown will give a brief address before acknowledging those retiring from the panel, and welcoming new members who will each give a maiden speech. The ceremony will conclude with a photo opportunity.

What: Youth Advisory Panel induction of new members and farewell of retiring members

When: Monday 27 July 2015,

Time: 5.45pm media arrival, 6.00pm start

Where: Reception Lounge, Level 2, Auckland Town Hall

ENDS

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