April 19, 2016
Rangatahi join influential policy process
Issues facing New Zealand and the ways communities can respond to them are on the minds of 200 secondary students gathered at Auckland University this week.
They’re attending the annual Aotearoa Youth Declaration, a civics education conference put together by United Nations Youth New Zealand.
They’ll take part in workshops and discussion and hear for guest speakers as the work towards developing this year’s declaration, which will be an important reference for politicians, local government bodies, NGOs, and businesses.
Kahurangi Taylor from Ngati Te Ata has rounded up four rangatahi from the Waiuku-based iwi to attend.
"It’s an awesome opportunity for them to be involved in a conference like this. There were only 3 Maori that attended last year and we've bought 4 along this year so that alone speaks wonders. Three out of 200 young people last year now 15 this year. It's still low numbers when you think about the representation of Maori voices but it's a start," she says.
Kahurangi Taylor says the Ngati Te Ata rangatahi have shown an interest in contributing to policy streams on equity, hauora and the environment.
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