Sharples setting up Maori Youth Council

Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples is setting up a youth council to advise him on issues affecting young Maori.

He said today he was looking for up to 15 representatives from across the country and a range of iwi who were active in their communities, interested in Maori affairs and had strong leadership skills.

"The Maori population is younger than the national average so rangatahi are an important part of our society and we need them to play a full part in planning our future," he said.

"I want to hear directly from young people what they think about how the Government's policies and programmes work for them, and I hope the experience of working with the Maori Youth Council will further develop their leadership skills."

Dr Sharples said he wanted the council to meet every couple of months, and he would chair quarterly meetings with it.

"It will be an open invitation process. I have asked Te Puni Kokiri to seek nominations from a wide range of community groups, universities, iwi and hapu," he said.

"I want a broadly representative group."

- NZPA