Young Wellingtonians sought to advise Government

Interested in social change for young people? Passionate about youth issues? Want youth voices heard in Government?

Young voices from the Wellington region are wanted for Activate, a specialist group set up to give advice to the Government on key youth issues.

Activate, a youth advisory group for the Ministry of Youth Development comprises young people aged between 15 and 21 years from a range of backgrounds and walks of life.

The purpose of Activate is to provide an effective way for young people to communicate directly with government, provide advice to the Ministry on youth-related topics, and talk and act on important youth matters.

In 2006, Activate gathered the views of young people from around New Zealand and presented oral submissions to various select committees, including the Sale of Liquor Amendment Bill, the Crimes Amendment Bill and the Employment Relations Amendment Bill.

They also organised a nationwide tick-a-box postcard campaign to canvass the views of young New Zealanders on the youth minimum wage issue. Over 5,500 young people from all over New Zealand completed the postcards and sent back their views. They will present these views to select committee later this month.

Current Activate member, 22-year-old Leah Reynolds who has been part of Activate for 2 years, says she has really benefited from being involved in the advisory group.

“I think the most valuable thing you will get out of Activate is meeting awesome people who are just as passionate as you are about youth issues, from different cultural and family backgrounds.”

Activate was launched in 2005 as part of a Government push to listen to the voices of this country’s young people and develop projects and policies that involve young people in a meaningful way.

Applications for Activate close on 15 March 2007.

For more information including the application form, see link to the “Youth advisory group” section of our website: www.youthvoices.govt.nz


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