Six rangatahi Māori – including five wāhine toa - have filled the Tuia mentoring positions made available by the city’s southern local boards.
An evaluation report of the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, Papakura, Manurewa, Ōtara-Papatoetoe and Franklin board’s participation in the Tuia progamme has recommended strengthening ties with rangatahi.
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Board chair Tauanu’u Nanai Nick Bakulich says the evaluation urges ongoing support for Tuia, a programme that matches rangatahi with local government mentors to provide education and networking opportunities to future young leaders.
“The report says Tuia creates chances for young people and boards to engage in a larger conversation around democracy and civics education, and calls for more engagement with mana whenua around identifying dedicated resources to support widening the scheme.”
Aaliyah Maria Tapora (Te Rarawa) and Destiny Harris (Ngā Puhi) will be formally introduced to the board in April as its representatives. They will join Suzie Rika (Ngā Puhi) from Manurewa, and Jordan-Caisley Pihema (Ngāti Whātua Orākei / Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa) from Papakura, Rivana Rudolph (Ngāti Maniapoto / Ngā Puhi) from Ōtara-Papatoetoe, and Isaiah Williams (Ngāti Whātua ki Kaipara) from Franklin.
Tuia means to weave, acknowledging that people are stronger together.
Representatives will all attend wānanga run by volunteers, mostly Tuia graduates, hosted at marae and pā.
Applicants must be aged 18 to 25, come from their areas and be contributing to the well-being of their communities. They must also have the support of their iwi, hapū, marae, whānau or community-based group.
