Students from Ormiston Junior College have urged Howick Local Board to let them help solve "real world problems".
Members of an accelerated learning programme, the students told the board they want to collaborate with it to affect change.
The students are already working with corporates and businesses to develop solutions to a range of problems, often in the environmental space.
Teacher Nick Pattison says his students have recently been involved in a major project aimed at reducing plastics pollution in the environment, and anything the board could do to better engage with the community’s future leaders would be welcome.
"What we have here is a group of young people who are stepping up and telling you they are keen to lead any project to integrate young people and students into the work of the board and wider community."
The board has initiated contact between the students and the Howick Youth Council.
Board chair David Collings says young people are often in the news for the wrong reasons and that can blind people to the contribution so many want to make.
"As a board, we are confident that working alongside the youth council, which already makes a huge contribution in our area, will be the start of something positive."
