With local body elections just around the corner, youth-focused civic engagement was one of the key themes for the Puketāpapa Youth Board’s recent Youth Summit 2019.
The Summit reached out to young people in Puketāpapa to bring their ideas or questions about local issues to the fore on topics such as mental health, cultural inclusivity and local facilities.
“These topics are very relevant to us and to young people in Puketāpapa,” says Patricia Wright, outgoing Chair of Puketāpapa Youth Board.
“The Youth Summit is a safe space where youth can have their voices heard and celebrated. Civic engagement is not just about voting in elections, it is also about being involved in your community and ensuring that youth perspectives are considered by decision makers.”
Aside from the workshops, the day featured an interactive panel on mental health issues, discussions and feedback from young people.
The Puketāpapa Youth Board is supported by Puketāpapa Local Board.
“It’s great to see the Puketāpapa Youth Board succeeding in their efforts to engage local people in the 12-24 age group," says Julie Fairey, Acting Chair, Puketāpapa Local Board.
"We know youth have great ideas, care about their community, and want to be heard, and having a youth board who can organise impressive opportunities like the Youth Summit is a significant benefit for the local board’s decision-making too,” she says.
The Puketāpapa Youth Board will publish a comprehensive report on the Youth Summit’s findings in the coming months. This report will be shared with local and regional stakeholders, and will be publicly available to read.
For updates on the Youth Board’s findings and future events, visit the Puketāpapa Youth Board’s Facebook page or follow them on Instagram @puketapapayouth.
