Youth Council

Anusha is in year 13 at John Paul College. She is a first-generation immigrant, born and raised right here in Rotorua. Her parents arrived in New Zealand from India over 22 years ago.

Dancing since the age of five, Anusha loves to dance, specifically ballet and Bollywood styles. She also enjoys participating in events and being an active member of our community.

Anusha wants to bring a voice, perspective and insight to situations that may arise.

Raised on his marae and whenua, David (Ngati Tahu-Ngati Whaoa, Ngati Tuwharetoa, Te Arawa, Tuhoe, Waikato Tainui) has always had a strong connection to his roots and iwi of Ngati Tahu - Ngati Whaoa.

Since a young age David has always shown interest in politics, history, art and science - with a passion for studying and taking care of our natural environment - Te Taiao.

Over the summer Davis worked as the Ngati Tahu - Ngati Whaoa intern at Contact Energy in the Tangata Whenua and Geo-Science team, with an aim to create an educational resource based on geothermal, mātauranga and kaitiakitanga.

David’s aspirations are to make a positive impact in Rotorua for the future generations. His favourite inspirational quote: “ I am who my tupuna prayed for”

Dean is a year 12 student attending Rotorua Boys’ High School, passionate about extending himself, he was able to achieve Dux Litterarum throughout all years of high school as well as the General Excellence Award in Years 10 and 11.

This year Dean hopes to achieve his Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, Grade 6 Trinity Piano examination, and attain his black belt in karate. He is a volunteer through mentoring students at school and has been involved in a Pink Ribbon Street Appeal.

Dean received a scholarship in the Youth Research VOX programme to collaborate on an international youth-led research paper discussing a United Nations' sustainable development goal.

Dean looks forward to contributing his voice to the Youth Council and connecting with the community to help make Rotorua an incredible place for youth.

Finley was inspired to join the Rotorua Youth Council as a way to give back to the amazing community that has helped him grow into the character he is today.

This year Finley is a year 12 student at Western Heights High School, with interests in a range of fields from the environment, to science, to the world of politics and governance. In his free time, Finley enjoys swimming, reading, hanging out with friends, and getting involved with community and school activities.

Finley believes our vibrant youth community deserves to be considered and represented in council decisions, especially since Rotorua is (in his opinion) the best place to grow and learn.

Gargi moved to Rotorua when she was three years old and for the past fourteen years Rotorua has been home.

Right from starting daycare towards now, being in her final year of high school, she has always been dedicated in giving back to her community.

A passionate debater, Gargi understands there are always two sides to be heard, and hopes to use her voice to bring more inclusivity into our community

Gargi is looking forward to giving back to the community that has shaped her into the wahine toa she is today.

India was born and raised in Rotorua alongside her twin sister and younger brother. She attended Westbrook School, Rotorua Intermediate and Western Heights High School, although the later years of her schooling were largely spent home schooling or attending the Northern Health School.

At age 11, India was diagnosed with arthritis which affects all of her joints. Although this slowed her down in some areas, India has always set herself goals and worked hard to achieve them. As a co-founder and active member of the Youth Advisory Committee for Arthritis New Zealand, India is a strong advocate for other children with arthritis and has a passion for helping others achieve their goals.

In the last 12 months, India has attended the OA Summit in Dunedin as a guest speaker, she has co-authored a journal for children with arthritis and has just completed a 7 week trip around the UK and Europe with her twin sister.

This year Laila is looking to study social work through Te Wānanga O Aotearoa. She’s always had a passion for making a change and strives to see change flourish throughout our community and rangatahi.

Laila is a dedicated, strong minded and compassionate individual, and understands that these personal strengths would help make a great change within the Rotorua community. Through her Polynesian background she is taught to serve people and give back to those who have served us.

“Ole Ala Ile Pule ole tautua - The path to leadership is through service”

This is an aspect of herself that she takes through her day to day life and is what she plans on implementing throughout this journey and the course of this year. When you have lived experiences behind you and you know about the struggle several other youth are going through, all you want is to be a helping and guiding hand to those in need.

Luke is a proud Rotorua boy of Ngāti Pikiao, Rongowhakaata and Gujarati descent. He’s been lucky enough to be raised amongst his wider whānau where his grandparents have always encouraged hard work, helping others and remaining humble.

Currently the co-Deputy Head Boy and Academic Captain at Raukura Rotorua Boys High School, Luke is interested in how our community makes decisions about the young people of Rotorua, and where the Youth Council can address the barriers and opportunities that can help the young people of Rotorua thrive.

Luke would also like to encourage our Council to think about Rotorua’s future generations in their decision-making, not just the rate payer needs of today.

Luke is also aware of the crisis facing many young people around mental health, poverty, housing and youth unemployment. He would also like to support a resilient environment where Rotorua rangatahi feel empowered and confident in sharing their opinions and aspirations.

Puhi is a year 12 student at Western Heights High School. Despite not having lived here his whole life, through his love of our unique environment, he quickly made Rotorua home.

Driven to apply to the Youth Council through his intrinsic vision of what he wants his community to look like in the future. Every day, especially on social media, Puhi sees some type of activism when it comes to not only our environment, our future, or our people, but the environment of others, the future of others and their people.

With this, Puhi knows that young people have a voice and are not afraid to use it. His goals and intentions as a Youth Councillor are to ensure they are heard through collaboration and mutuality.

Puhi shares a whakataukī about the Youth Councillor he wants to be: “Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini” – “My strength is not that of a single warrior, but that of many”

In her final year of high school, Sophia wants to contribute to the community that raised her. Using her own experiences she wants to share ideas from a youth point of view and leave a positive impact on Rotorua.

Sophia is always keen to try new things that encourages her to step out of her comfort zone. She is looking forward to learning what Council does behind the scenes and believes this experience will grow her leadership skills and experience.

In her free time Sophia loves to bake and play volleyball and netball.

Tulsi is a year 13 student at Western Heights High School and has always had a love for politics and helping out within her community.

She is looking forward to learning new skills from Council mentors, and then use those skills to guide and help within the community, primarily with youth peers.

Tulsi comes from a background of lots of different cultures, and she loves to cook, play sports and spend time with her dogs at the lake.