Youth Council

Aataahua-Jean applied to be on the Youth Council to represent young people, provide ideas that make a difference and help create positive opportunities for youth in and around Rotorua.

Currently attending Rotorua Girls’ High School, Aataahua-Jean always wants to contribute to something bigger than herself, whether that be through participating in all areas of school life, in her church or in the wider community.

She believes some of the most pressing issues facing young people in our community are mental health, lack of motivation, and limited opportunities for youth to have a real voice in decisions that affect them. Many young people struggle with confidence, connection, and knowing where to find support or opportunities.

As a member of the Rotorua Youth Council, Aataahua-Jean wants to ensure they represent all young people by listening to voices from different schools, cultures, and communities, including those who might not usually speak up.

As a young wahine growing up in Rotorua, and now a student at Western Heights High School, Eden has always felt a strong sense of connection to the people, places, and stories that shape our city. She wants to use her role on the Youth Council as a meaningful way to give back to the community she cares about deeply.

She has always had a profound passion for community service and civic engagement and understands the Rotorua Youth Council represents an opportunity to take that involvement to the next level. To be part of actual decision-making processes, and to contribute to meaningful projects that positively impact the wider community.

Eden wants to be part of initiatives that empower young people to find their voice, celebrate the rich diversity of Rotorua, help build opportunities for rangatahi to thrive, and tackle issues that affect us at a grassroots level, from mental health, education, participation in community events and youth employment.

This will be Justin’s second term on the Rotorua Youth Council and he is looking forward to supporting the new Councillors and strengthening the voice of Rotorua youth in local decisions.

Highlights of Justins Youth Council journey so far include making a real difference for young people, developing stronger leadership skills, and working with other passionate youth to see their community projects succeed.

As well as attending John Paul College, Justin has dedicated over 2,500 voluntary hours to the community since January 2023. He believes volunteering is the best way to give back to the place that has supported him. Justin also owns a company that supports rangatahi by training them in various skills and providing a safe space focused on mental health.

This year, Justin wants to advocate for better youth mental health resources, promoting initiatives for affordable housing, and creating spaces where youth feel valued and listened to.

Diversity and inclusion were an important part of why Ayush wanted to be part of the Rotorua Youth Council.

Growing up with a Gujarati Heritage, Ayush learned the importance of embracing yourself. These experiences inspired him to support others and help finding their voice when facing challenges.

Ayush explains that diversity means understanding and valuing the differences and the special aspects of someone which makes them unique. Whether it is their race, background, gender or sexuality, inclusion means embracing everyone, making sure everyone feels accepted, loved and respected.

Ayush, currently a student at Rotorua Boys’ High School, believes by leading with compassion and inclusion we can grow a community of people who can connect through shared experiences and feeling supported.

A student at Rotorua Boys’ High School, Leo wants to add his positive voice for the youth of this city and is looking forward to being able to share his point of view and help change things for the better.

A strong believer of giving back to his community, Leo has volunteered his time to coach touch rugby and water polo teams, and provided assistance at swimming meets and the Salvation Army.

He believes it is important to meet new people and experience different cultures and outlooks on life. Leo wants to meet local leaders and take action on different situations so he can play a bigger role in improving the diverse Rotorua community.

Luke is passionate about change and is keen to learn more about leadership and meet new people and be part of something that makes a difference.

He wants to be part of projects that improve mental health support and spaces for youth, by enabling sport and other opportunities for youth.

Currently the Deputy Head Boy of John Paul College, Luke strives in all aspects of his life from completing Duke of Edinburgh Awards, to volunteering for a range of organisations, being active in the Airforce Cadets and has recently returned from Cambodia where he helped build infrastructure in local villages.

Luke see’s the Youth Council as an awesome way to speak up for his generation and help create opportunities for youth to grow, connect and be heard.

It was attending the United Nations Youth NZ Model Parliament that made Molly apply for the Rotorua Youth Council.

She wants to create a safe space for the youth to learn about our local council and have opinions on topics so that the rangatahi voice is included in change and able to bring in fresh new ideas for our community.

Currently attending Rotorua Girls’ High School, Molly is part of the Tongan and Fijian Associations and has been part of Te Papaiouru kapa haka roopu and Raukura kapa haka.

With a cultural background including Māori, Fijian, Tongan, and Samoan, Molly knows the importance of diversity, and ensuring people from different ethnicities, backgrounds and beliefs are heard and represented.

Patience wants to act as the voice for our rangatahi, offering a bridge between younger generations, Council and community leaders.

Currently attending Rotorua Girls’ High School, she enjoys mentoring and wants to foster and inspire more rangatahi to get involved in the Youth Council in the future.

Patience has been part of Z Club since 2022, serving as President twice, and has enjoyed organising fundraisers and community initiatives. She is also an active member of the New Zealand Cadet Forces, which has played a big role in shaping her confidence, discipline, and leadership.

She is looking forward to bringing the same energy, empathy and commitment to the Rotorua Youth Council, and wants to leave a positive impact by helping build a more connected, confident, and empowered generation of youth in Rotorua.

Penelope attends Rotorua Lakes High School and is looking forward to having a voice on the Youth Council and bring about positive change for Rotorua. She wants to expand on her interest in politics and advocacy and enhance her leadership skills.

Penelope was previously involved in football, rowing, dance and drama, but has since chosen to focus on her studies and hockey. She was selected to take part in the Spirit of Adventure with students from across New Zealand.

A key focus Penelope wants to address is increasing the youth knowledge on the negative impact of vaping, alcohol and drugs. By providing resources and safe spaces to connect she hopes to reduce the number of future generations getting involved.

Sakura is passionate about creating a community where youth can thrive in Rotorua.

As well as being active in Western Heights High School groups like Environment Club, Interact Club, Audio Visual Club and Forward Foundation, she also supports the local triathlon group and is a part of the Rotorua Multicultural Council.

Sakura believes social interaction is a key part of growing up and by learning social skills early it will set them up for later in life. She would like to create opportunities available for Rotorua youth to connect during her term on the Rotorua Youth Council.

Sara has become a Rotorua Youth Council member as she felt it was a fantastic opportunity for her to make a change in the Rotorua community.

She has successfully completed all Duke of Edinburgh awards and is active in many John Paul College groups like Bee Club, Debate Club, Young Vinnies and Environmental Club.

A talented musician, Sara plays piano, violin and flute, has received accreditation as a Taekwondo Junior Instructor and has performed Anne Samson School of Ballet shows since the age of four.

Sara is looking forward to meeting like-minded youths, growing her understanding of government and council leadership systems, and learning how changes happen behind the scenes.

Tristan is passionate about leading change and advocating for those not always heard within our Rotorua region.

Currently serving as one of the Deputy Head Prefects at Rotorua Boys’ High School, Tristan is committed to developing his leadership skills to drive positive change whenever possible.

The Youth Council will allow Tristan to extend on his work as one of the main mentors for the Rotorua Boys' High School Ihu Manea programme. This is a school extension programme that cultivates the leaders of tomorrow by preparing them today.

Tristan is eager to lead more face-to-face events to gather ideas and opinions from local youth about what they want to see in Rotorua and how they can get involved.

He hopes his time in the Youth Council will help him build a strong foundation to learn, grow and develop into someone who is able to create real, positive change.