Te Hapara leaders attend conference

YOUNG LEADERS CONFERENCE: The Te Hapara Aspiring Young Leaders group at the National Young Leaders conference in Hamilton are (back, from left) Amanda Wilson (speaker), Perez Baty, Dylan Babbington (teacher), Vince Harder (performer/ musician), Akira Makiri, Nasya Battin, Trinity Halsey and Francis Rowland (deputy principal). In front are Riley Hathaway (speaker), Keanu Makiri, Aysha Key, Lykhin Poihipi, William Waiirua (performer/comedian), Rhian Collins, Amelia Griffiths and Phoenix Battin. Picture supplied

Learning to think like a leader was the focus of this year’s National Young Leaders Conference attended by the Te Hapara School Aspiring Young Leaders group in Hamilton last week.

The group of 10 joined 2000 other young leaders from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty at the annual event.

Speakers included Amanda Wilson from Keeping up with the Kaimanawas, Lisa Tamati, an international endurance athlete, Riley Hathaway from Young cean Explorers, and former MP Jono Naylor.

Teacher Dylan Babbington said Riley Hathaway was their group’s favourite speaker.

“Her story of how she overcame her fears of the ocean at the age of 12 thanks to a school project about the impact of plastic in our ocean, really resonated with our students.

“It linked directly to what they are learning in the classroom. At the age of 17, Riley travels the world and has her own Young Explorers show documenting her journey.”

One of the group, Nasya Battin said she particularly enjoyed the messages presented by Amanda Wilson.

“She spoke about how her family did not have a lot of money growing up but she didn’t let that stop her from pursuing her passion to ride horses.”

“Her key point that it’s OK to be different’ and to just be yourself, really struck home,” she said.

The message of the conference that as leaders they can make change regardless of their age, resonated with the group.

The group of 10 visited Frankton and Hukanui Primary Schools, where they reflected on the conference and shared how leadership programmes operate in each school.

Mr Babbington said a highlight from these visits was the powhiri with which Frankton Primary School welcomed their group.

“This was a nice change, as our students are normally the tangata whenua in a powhiri and were excited to be manuhiri for once. Akira Makiri lead our group well with his whaikorero.”

The learning gained from the trip was invaluable.

“Now the group is working on how they can make a difference within their school community and the wider Gisborne community.”