ReGeneration: Young People Getting their Voices Heard
image by Guy Ryan
The roadie crew just spent an epic couple of weeks in Northland and the Bay of Plenty. We’ve visited the leaping off place of souls, Te Rerenga Wairua, hung out with the amazing whanau at He Iwi Kotahi Tatou Trust in Moerewa, shared kai and conversations with Jeanette Fitzsimmons and ran a massive youth event in Rotorua.
On Tuesday last week we had the privilege of running a youth event in Waitangi in conjunction with the Northland District Council. The event was an opportunity to pilot a new concept – helping young people connect with council policy development through film-making. Big ups to the great crew from the Northland Regional Council for trying something new. It was a great day and the process holds real potential as a new approach to regional planning. You can check out the amazing film the crew created here…
It’s awesome to see councils trying to be more inclusive and participatory in their practices, and I reckon it’s essential. The last NZ General Social Survey showed that less than half our young people voted in the 2008 general election and the last round of local elections had our lowest voter turnout since 1989. I don’t reckon it’s because we’re apathetic – travelling around the country has shown me just how amazing we are at getting in there and getting stuff done, starting social change projects and working for the betterment of our communities.
Thanks to the following environmentally responsible businesses for supporting Happyzine:
The Organic Green Grocer.
Nelson’s busy organic shop – healthy food, happy people, great service, caring for the environment. Corner Tasman & Grove Streets, Nelson. Ph 03 548 3650.
I think that the processes we have in place at the moment create huge barriers to participation in all areas of governance. Dave Meslin has some great things to say about it here… So my question to you is – how can we get past the barriers that council processes put in place for young people and hear what they have to say? It sure isn’t frivolous.
image by Guy Ryan
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Tags: regeneration, Youth
Voices of our community