Move over Ben Affleck there’s a new star on the block.
Manurewa Local Board chair Matt Winiata is fronting a video being made to promote local government to young leaders.
The cameras followed the chair on a day on duty across Manurewa, filming at Tōtara Park’s mountain-bike tracks and at a meeting with the club’s former chair, on the other side of the park checking in with staff on the progress of new tracks, at a sports club where upgrade work is being supported by the board, and around the ongoing problem of illegal dumping.
“I’ll be meeting with about 80 young leaders at a hui and I wanted something that would engage with them. We need to find ways to talk with our rangatahi, because few are engaged with government on any level, let alone a local one.
“They exist in a visual and digital world. We all know about Instagram and Tik Tok but we can be dismissive, but they are major communication channels for today’s young people. We should tell our stories visually, because that’s how they interact online.”
Illegal dumping...same old problem, different day.
The video co-stars ordinary members of the community, such as Wattle Downs Pest-Free warrior Row Robinson, and doesn’t shy away from the inevitable meetings.
“We wanted to show board members connect with the community, and while we do go to the office, we’re all about creating connections with ordinary people.
“We aren’t talking a Hollywood blockbuster here, but we hope it will successfully sell the message that young people can get involved and make a difference, and that there are governance opportunities they could consider as careers.”
Filming with eco-warrior Row Robinson at Wattle Downs.
The video will be used at the Manurewa Youth Leaders Day on September 11 at AUT to educate students on civics during a session Winiata will present.
The area’s young people will get to express their opinions on how better to engage with them, issues affecting youth today, such as education provision, alcohol and vape harm, youth crime, and what keeps rangatahi at school and on a pathway to a fruitful career.
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