Overview

The Waitakere Council have five strategic platforms, one of which is called First Call for Children. This platform means that with every decision council makes people in the younger age brackets must be considered, this is where we come in.

We are a group of young people just like you drawn from the schools of Waitakere and the local community. By working with council we ensure that the youth of Waitakere are given a voice and fairly represented. All of us have an interest in youth and have been involved with groups and events that involve or focus on youth and are committed to making sure that youth are celebrated and try to bring about change in the city that you'd like to see.

Mission Statement

To provide the youth of Waitakere City with a voice, through positive activities and accurate representation. Waitakere Youth Council provides a voice for the youth of our city and has input to council decisions that will affect youth now and in the future.

Member Profile
 

Christine Finlay - Chairman

Age:	17
Representative:	Community
My view on youth today:	There is one predominant word that comes to mind when I think of youth, and that is 'potential'. I feel that youth possess the vitality and creativity to inspire and contribute to the community, but it seems a little 'push' is needed at times. There are many obstacles that can easily fall into the laps of teenagers who are eager to follow trends. Beneath these victims of trend, however, are beautiful young souls full of wonder and new ideas. As cliché as it as, young people are the 'essence of the future.

Emma Heavey - Deputy Chairperson

Age:
Representative:	Kelston Girls' College
My view on youth today:	Youth Crime - I believe that youth today feel they are pressured into crime and vandalism as it has many feel as though it is a family trait, either starting with older brothers and sisters or parents but as I have come to know that in some cases starting as early as Great Grandparents and Grandparents. I believe that with the right encouragement and support that we as a community and country can create not a want but a need for good attention and high achievement.

Michael Tuala

Age:	16
Representative:	Liston College
My view on youth today:	I believe youth in society need to gain confidence in order for our future to be sufficient.

Amy Pollard

Age:	18
Representative:	Community
My view on youth today:	I think that all youth should be able to express who they are and not be judged or discriminated against, for it. For this to happen, better education about the way that everyone should be treated and better family values taught towards discrimination, abuse etc.. would be very important!

Nick Vemoa

Age:	16
Representative:	Kelston Boys High School
My view on youth today:	I think that in the community that we live in today, youth don't get the recognition they deserve for the good things they do. Society today are placing too much emphasis on the negative aspects of youth today, instead of showing and acknowledging the positive ones, which would set the example for other youth to realise that they have an effect on the community and they can then try and make that effect positive.

Su'Ad Muse

Age:	16
Representative:	Massey High School
My view on youth today:	Us youth are a misunderstood and often underestimated bunch. People and their frivolous stereotyping have sullied the good name of youth. Ok granted, there are those individuals amongst us who conduct themselves in a questionable manner, but really what age group doesn't have them? And so it's unfair to judge us all, because initiatives such as the Waitakere Youth Council have proven that youth can benefit society in many ways. In my opinion though youth are only just realizing their potential. We are challenging societal ideals and opinions, we're breaking free from typecasts and showing the world what we're capable of. And with the encouragement and support of an open-minded community, in my view youth today are doing mighty fine.

Alana Wadsworth

Age:	18
Representative:	Community Currently studying second year graphic design at uni.
My view on youth today:	I have been on the youth council for 3 years, currently serving my 4th year. I feel the youth of Waitakere have so many good ideas, but they do not know where or how they can be voiced.

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Monique Thomas

Age:	16
Representative:	Home-schooled
My view on youth today:	Youth today need to get off the streets. Thousands of Youth every night are walking the streets just because there is nothing interesting to do. This needs to change. Every time there are a group of kids walking the streets bored most of the time they get into mischief, whether it be smoking drugs, drinking, setting things alight or Graffiti, they still do it. We need to get our Youth off the streets and help them do more productive things, not just going to gigs or concerts, but nurturing their abilities and providing FUN events for them to go to in order to do this.

Liana Tere

Age:	17
Representative:	The 'best' out 'west'.....Waitakere College
My view on youth today:	I think personally that youth are mistakenly underestimated. Youth are the leaders of tomorrow, hence the reason why we develop such leadership skills to enhance the way we are as individuals. I seriously think that WE deserve a chance and every opportunity given to us

June Ioelu

Allanah Mackintosh
 

Age:	16
Representative:	Green Bay High School
My view on youth today:

Elise Nother

Age:	14
Representative:	Sunderland College
My view on youth today:	My view on youth 2 day: is that youth have the soul and strength to do something if they put their mind to it and know how to get in to an industry or even just a social group. I also believe that the youth are and always have been stereo typed or separated in to groups. So I believe that we need to stand together and stand strong. So we can show that we are the ones that will take things to the next level.

Kheng Lee Ho

Age:	Information to come
Representative:
My view on youth today:

Mele Foliaki
 

Age:	Information to come
Representative:
My view on youth today:

Rachel Zheng
 

Age:	Information to come
Representative:
My view on youth today:

Regan Northwood
 

Age:	Information to come
Representative:
My view on youth today:

Waitakere Council Agendas and Minutes

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