Talented young Māori leaders with the potential to become the leaders of the future will again be able to take part in the nationwide Tuia mentoring scheme.
Papakura Local Board has committed $3,000 to Tuia from its Governance work programme budget to help it achieve its Māori outcomes objectives.
Board chair Brent Catchpole says Tuia brings rangatahi together to be mentored by local government members from their own areas.
“The boards in the south have led the way in this programme, providing opportunities that deliver benefits for not only our rangatahi, but also for our members who enjoy hearing and engaging with the perspectives our young people bring to issues."
“We have had some wonderful young people represent us and look forward to more of them having that chance. New member Andrew Webster, himself one of the youngest local body representatives elected, is doing good work in this space, and these are also rangatahi who are already showing a commitment to their communities.”
The other allocation under the work programme was $6,000 for Ara Kōtui.
The board works with the Franklin, Manurewa, Māngere-Ōtāhuhu and Ōtara-Papatoetoe boards in Ara Kōtui, alongside mana whenua, to build relationships with iwi.
Catchpole says it’s again interesting that the southern boards are leading the way, co-funding Ara Kōtui as an initiative designed to support building relationships with iwi.
“These two projects align with similar outcomes that all the boards aspire to in terms of ensuring we reflect our pride in the Māori identity so apparent within our areas, and that Māori participation is meaningful.”
Local boards play a role in representing the interests of all Aucklanders and have statutory Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.
“Building those relationships and understanding Māori aspirations is critical to working together successfully” he says.
Stay connected
Want to stay up to date with all the latest news from your area? Sign up for the Franklin Local Board E-News and get it in your inbox each month.
