Youth have their say at special symposium

FUTURE LEADERS: Students of Tairawhiti work on issues they want to be raised at Youth Parliament in July. From left are Matariki Gibson, Maia Te Koha, Nathan Mihaka, Lucy Coulston, Sade Materoa Rewiri, Maia Ingoe, Otiria Para, Rebekah Raihania, Rubin Karere, Te Whetu Tibble, Alexandra Pickering-Ruru, Mackenzie Mitchell and Anahera Irwin. Picture by Liam Clayton

Future leaders met to discuss issues effecting the region at a special youth symposium on Monday.

Hosted at Gisborne Girls’ High School, the symposium brought together secondary school students, who discussed what they would like their Youth MP representatives to put forward to the Youth Parliament in Wellington in July.

The two representatives at the symposium were Youth MP for Kiri Allan — Sade Materoa Rewiri of Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Horouta Wananga — and Youth MP for Meka Whaitiri and the Ikaroa Rawhiti electorate — Rebekah Raihania, who has local whakapapa but attends Wellington Girls’ College.

Among the themes discussed were youth justice, climate change, teaching methods to support all ethnicities and encouraging young people to engage in civic and political aspects of the community.

Ikaroa Rawhiti MP Meka Whaitiri challenged her Youth MP Rebekah to ensure she brings the voice of the region to parliament.

This became a focus of the symposium, with the students working towards a region-wide approach.

The students also visited Gisborne District Council to get a sense of the environments that public servants and decision-makers operate within.

Mayor Meng Foon shared his perspective on public life and students making their own life decisions.

“It’s OK not to know what you want to do yet,” said Mr Foon.

“If you want a public life or a governance role in terms of decision-making, it is important to start participating in the community now.

“Be kind to people. If you have nothing kind to say, don’t say anything at all. Words can influence minds and actions.

“Knowing yourself is most important. Not knowing what you want to do is OK because it will happen.

“But if someone offers you an opportunity that you feel is good in your heart, take it up, give it a go.”