Council invites all 17 to 24 year olds to take part in the Tō Reo, Tō Mana, Your Voice, Your Power, Rangatahi Creative Challenge, open now until Friday 12 September.

The competition gives young people the chance to share their ideas for the future of Te Tairāwhiti through any creative medium they choose.

The challenge asks: What could Te Tairāwhiti look like if young people led local decision making? What kind of Tairāwhiti would you create?

Entries can be paintings, photography, sculpture, music, spoken word, short films, carvings, digital art, animation, mixed media or whatever art form is preferred.

All entries will be exhibited at Gizzy Local from Friday 19 September until Monday 13 October, with winners announced on opening night.

The creative challenge is aimed at those 17 to 24 years old as only 55 percent of this demographic in Tairāwhiti are enrolled to vote. It aims to encourage rangatahi to see themselves as decision-makers and to remind them that they can enrol to vote from the age of 17.

Anita Reedy-Holthausen, Director of Engagement and Māori Partnerships, says "We are working with schools and education providers to help get the word out to rangatahi. The creative challenge is raising awareness about elections and highlighting the importance of young people having a voice in local decision making."

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