Harnessing Pacific Youth Voice – an Opportunity for NZ Politics

Press release by PYLAT Council

Following the Pacific Youth Parliament in April, the Pacific Youth Leadership and Transformation Council AKA PYLAT are continuing to ensure Pacific youth voices are speaking into the 2017 Election.

PYLAT designed iSPEAK in the aftermath of the Christchurch Earthquakes a discussion series where Pacific young people could hear from decision makers on key issues, and then share their views! This has included the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, NZ’s Involvement in the War in Iraq and the Levant and most recently on Housing and Poverty.

70 Pacific youth participated in the Housing and Poverty discussion in July. After the discussion PYLAT collected the views of attendees, 78% of Pacific youth there wanted to see more direct action from Government around Housing and Poverty issues in Aotearoa. While there was some anxiety about the housing situation, 83% thought that it is a reality for them to own a home one day.

19 year old Fijian-Indian and Pacific youth advocate Bhavna Prasad is hopeful about her owning a home, but is worried by some of the focus of the rebuild of Christchurch.

“I like to think ill own a home one day, but statistics say otherwise. My concern with the poverty and housing issues is about the prioritisation. In Christchurch instead of putting money into a retractable roof stadium, we could be investing in more state housing, or improving housing. There is also significant homelessness after the quakes. There is a trade off.”

The next PYLAT hosted iSPEAK is coming up on September 13. The two guest speakers are the current Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon. Alfred Ngaro National List MP, and Labour Party Spokesperson for Pacific Island Affairs and MP for Mangere, Aupito Su’a William Sio.

24 year old Samoan youth advocate Viane Makalio says "I’m really interested in hearing from Aupito and Alfred as two of the key representative’s for us as a Pacific community. Face to face discussions are crucial cuz it’s often the easiest way for young people to see the impact of them sharing their voice."

Miss Prasad is concerned that without events like iSPEAK Pacific youth voice could be completely missed in the lead up to this election and generally.

“There has been coverage of some issues which affect Pacific Peoples and Pacific youth in education and poverty this election, but there is little which is specific. For many Pacific youth iSPEAK is one of the few times they get to meet their representatives. A lot of decisions that do get made, affect them but they don’t get an opportunity to get their own beliefs out there. It is crucial they can share their voices, we need to try something different to change the statistics, their ideas could be one of these ways.”

iSPEAK with Hon. Alfred Ngaro and Aupito Su’a William Sio
What: iSPEAK is a free Pacific Youth discussion with key leaders organised by PYLAT & a free dinner provided.
Date: Wednesday, September 13, 5.30 –7.00pm (10 days before the election!!)
Venue: White Elephant Trust 442 Tuam St, Christchurch
More info: pylatcouncil@gmail.com

© Scoop Media