"Don’t want my home to be forgotten” – Youth MP Aiden Mill

By Arshita Bhardwaj, Youth Press Gallery, Youth Parliament 2025

Photo Caption: Aiden Mill, Youth MP

Change doesn't happen overnight, it starts with people like Aiden Mill, who see the potential in the overlooked and choose to act on it. Raised over eight generations on the East Coast, Mill is the product of resilience, and a community that has endured more than its fair share of hardship, from floods to failing infrastructure to watching once-thriving farms disappear under the pressure of economic downturn.

Mill is transforming the way we think about rural New Zealand. Representing Gisborne in Youth Parliament, he understands what it means to feel forgotten by decision-makers. With some of the highest rents in the country, struggling healthcare systems, and a shrinking farming economy, he says it often feels like the central government's given up on us. But he's not giving up on Gisborne. Instead of letting it happen, Mill became the voice he wanted to see for his community, and more importantly, he not only wanted to speak for the people but rather with the people, "it's not us against each other, it's us against the system."

This experience has led Mill to focus much of his kaupapa on real engagement. Rather than throwing around buzzwords or promises for change, he wants to advocate for the people by directly speaking to them, understanding their needs and advocating for them in rooms where decisions are being made.

He is particularly passionate about making healthcare more accessible for rural communities, extending beyond just their physical health to their mental health too. Creating mobile health hubs across the East Coast, bringing accessible care to those who need it most.

From Gisborne to the halls of the Beehive, Aiden Mill amplifies voices that are too often ignored. Embodying a new wave of leadership in Aotearoa, which is grounded in lived realities, empathy and community. He is proving that change doesn't come from the top down but from those who know their communities best. Already laying the groundwork for a healthier, more inclusive future, his vision for Gisborne is clear: accessible healthcare, sustainable rural development, and a community that is heard, not overlooked. Keep an eye on Aiden Mill; he's just getting started.