Championing youth voices in the Waimakariri District
Waimakariri District Council media release: 2nd September 2024
Two fantastic groups looking out for the interests of young people in the Waimakariri District are WaiYouth and the Waimakakriri Youth Council. However, the two groups have quite different functions.
WaiYouth is all about young people taking action on things young people care about. Events, volunteering and giving young people a voice in our local community.
It is a group which meets together every two weeks to discuss ideas and plan events for the district while also developing their own leadership, organisational and personal skills.
For more information, check out:
Waimakariri Youth Council Co-Chair Ruby Wilson says she quite often gets asked what the difference is between the two groups.
“Basically, WaiYouth run events and workshops in our district for young people. For example things like cooking classes, quiz nights and movie nights and other youth focused events.
“Youth Council advocates for young people in the Waimakariri District on issues that affect young people locally and on a national level. It’s a platform for the youth voice.”
Youth Council provides a mechanism whereby the needs and aspirations of young people can be bought to the attention of the Council and community and be translated into action.
Youth Council meets every month on the last Tuesday of the month.
Read the Terms of Reference for the Waimakariri Youth Council.
Their purpose is to identify and communicate to the District Council the interests and preferences of Waimakariri young people in relation to:
- the content of strategies, policies, plans, and bylaws of the District Council;
- the processes and mechanisms for engagement with young people in the District;
- the consideration of regional issues raised by local young people;
- consultation with young people and the community;
- advocating and advancing the Waimakariri Youth Strategy; and
- any matter that the Youth Council considers to be of particular interest or concern to Waimakariri young people.
Check out the Waimakariri Youth Council Facebook page for more information.