Young people at centre of decision-making

Christchurch City Council is moving to give young people a stronger voice in decision-making.

On the recommendation of Councillor Anne Galloway, the Council has agreed that up to four young people can be appointed as external members of the new Te Pae Pīkari Youth Advisory Committee that Cr Galloway will chair.

Te Rūnanga Ngāi Tahu will be invited to appoint two young people to the committee, while the Christchurch Youth Council and the Pacific Youth Leadership and Transformation Council will each be invited to appoint one person to the committee.

“Rather than just having young people attending the Youth Advisory Committee in an advisory capacity, we want them at the decision-making table with the same voting rights as other Committee members,’’ says Cr Galloway.

“One of the purposes of Te Pae Pīkari is to promote positive youth development and to involve young people in civic matters. Giving young people a chance to sit on the committee and be at the centre of the decision-making process totally aligns with those goals.

“We have some incredibly involved young people in our communities who represent a diverse range of views. It is important they have a voice in issues that are relevant to them,’’ Cr Galloway says.