Youth in Local Government Awards

The categories of the awards were:

Youth Participation: For best practice in getting young people's voices heard and making a difference in the community

It's About Collaboration: For best practice collaboration with other agencies on issues in their communities by a youth council

The Alternative Award: For best practice innovation in youth development by local government which sits outside of other categories

Best Education, Training or Employment Project: For best practice project in developing young people's skills and work readiness.

The Supreme Award – The most outstanding project of the winners from the above categories.

The winners were initiatives from councils that showed a commitment to the principles of Youth Development, as well as innovative thinking in their respective categories.

Outline of the winning projects

Winner - Best Education, Training or Employment Project

 

South Waikato Trade and Training Centre
South Waikato District Council

The Trade and Training Centre is a collaboration between the South Waikato District Council, and local engineering and automotive industries. The centre was aimed at up-skilling young people who may have otherwise not pursued education and filling a void in the local industries.

Judges comments:

The huge scope of this project was very impressive, as was it's ability to evolve to meet various demands. The initiative showed strong partnerships and was an example of longevity and sustainability. The Centre targeted the many, not the few.

Winner - It's About Collaboration

Jam Magazine
Tasman District Council

Jam Magazine is a publication created by young people for young people. From design to writing, editing and advertising the project is youth-driven. There are clear advantages in terms of content and relevance in having publications created by their target audience and skills acquired from this process have numerous positive affects for the young people involved.

Judges comments:

This publication shows clear collaboration through the whole process. It is fantastically resourced and has tangible results. Not only does it provide an avenue for young people to communicate issues to one another, it focuses on up skilling and sustainability.

 

Winner, The Alternative Award

Super Events for Super People
Hutt City Council

These events consisted of young people in the Hutt City Council working with disabled youth in their area to put on a fun event. Their decisions on what and how to hold events were based entirely on meeting the needs of the disabled young people, through consultation and innovative thinking. The project showed commitment to doing something out-of-the-ordinary for a fantastic cause.

Judges comments:

This initiative is beautiful. It shows young people actively doing something which is unique, yet much needed. The evolution of the project is testament to the amazing consultations undertaken and the strong networks built for such a great cause.

 

Winner, Youth Participation Award and Supreme Award

E Oho - Awaken

Rotorua District Council

This initiative involved the Rotorua District Council providing the resources and encouragement to up-skill a group of young people, and then empowering them to engage with and meet the needs of young people in their communities. It is a great example of not just running a project to engage with young people, but giving young people the tools and skills to engage with their peers and communities themselves, in order to meet their needs with support from the council.

Judges comments:

Amazing. This embodies not just planning, but also doing. The project is empowering and will have such positive impacts on not only those who took part, but everyone they will come in contact with for the future. This is a true example of giving young people the tools to create their own futures and affect their communities in a long-lasting positive way. Inspiring stuff!