A new leadership role on Auckland Council’s Youth Advisory Panel seems a natural fit for young Papakura trailblazer Kritika Selach, aged 21.
She started her local governance journey on the Papakura Youth Council at just 14-years-old, working alongside the Papakura Local Board. She advocates for young people and works on ideas to help grow awareness among her peers of how local government works.
After four years on the youth council, Kritika then ran for a seat on the Papakura Local Board in the 2022 elections, in her first year out of Rosehill College.
She wasn’t elected to the local board, but since then she’s advised the council on how to improve outcomes for youth on numerous projects as a member of the Youth Advisory Panel.
“As you can probably tell, I’m passionate about young people having a voice around the table,” Kritika says. “Being involved is the best way to ensure that priorities for us – like climate action, leadership roles and affordable housing – are heard and addressed when decisions are made.”
Councillor Julie Fairey, as chief liaison officer for the panel, says Kritika’s appointment as the panel’s new co-chair reflects her dedication to stand up and make a difference.
“Our demographic panel members are amazing, and we are really lucky to have such thoughtful and connected Aucklanders giving us their advice through this mechanism. Panel members manage their input around a range of commitments like work, study and family, and I particularly appreciate how they share leadership, including welcoming Kritika as a new co-chair for her peers,” Cr Fairey says.
For Kritika, her new co-chair role will require more time and focus, but she has already embraced the challenge.
“I’ve been lucky to serve on the Local Elections Working Group recently, helping to shape ideas that will encourage young people to vote in the 2025 elections. This has really allowed me to contribute from my own personal experience as a young person and on behalf of youth,” she says.
New Youth Advisory Panel co-chair Kritika Selach.
She says that complex local government processes can sometimes be daunting – but there are many ways to learn without getting overwhelmed, particularly coming up to elections.
Community events are a good opportunity to find out how to have your say, also local board meetings, or check if your local school or tertiary education provider has information sessions planned, she says. There is a lot of information online at Vote Auckland, and other platforms designed for young people to give feedback like Buzzly, she says.
“I’m keen to see what more we can do to get young people involved in decisions, as that will help to build a brighter city in the future,” Kritika says. “Young people bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas that can really help make a difference.
On top of her panel role, Kritika is completing a Bachelor of Global Studies at university, alongside working at ASB. She is also an AA Auckland District Councillor, Member of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Network, Board Member of the Papakura Youth Council Trust, a Member of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, and Planet Youth Papakura Governance Group Member.
“I am a pro-juggler, I wear many different hats in different spaces,” she says.
Former Youth Advisory Panel co-chair Vira Paky has stepped down to focus on a fulltime youth advocacy role at Save the Children NZ.
To find out more about the 2025 elections:
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Sign up to Auckland Conversations to hear about the next TED-talk style event on elections
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Attend an upcoming webinar on Wednesday 11 December, at 5pm to find out more about standing as a candidate.
