Voice for Manawatu youth

Manawatu youth have welcomed the opportunity to make changes in the community with the introduction of a new initiative that seeks their thoughts on what would make Feilding and the surrounding district friendlier and safer.

The feedback follows the recent inaugural meeting of Manawatu Youth Voice, a forum aimed at encouraging ongoing discussion with local youth to ensure they have a voice in decision-making.
Manawatu Youth Voice is supported by the Manawatu District Council, Te Manawa Services RAP - Respect All People Whakamana Tangata project and local youth organisations and services.
Local schools also support Manawatu Youth Voice and will send delegates to a series of future meetings to be held during school time twice a term. Follow-up work on subjects discussed will be undertaken by the schools and supportive organisations between the meetings.

MDC Community and Strategic Development Officer, Tracey Hunt, said the first 90-minute meeting had been successful and the project group was appreciative of the number of schools that were represented.

A delegation from Awahou School presented a “photovoice” project (using digital cameras) highlighting some of the areas in their community causing concern, such as traffic issues outside the school, maintenance at parks and dangers posed by tree branches in the water on the banks of the Pohangina River.
Ms Hunt said the excellent “photovoice” presentation was a good example of how various subjects could be raised and discussed at future youth forums.

Facilitators Andrew Dever-Tod and Lisa Foggin, of Te Manawa Services, said because it was the first meeting, the children were asked how they found it.

“They felt it was a comfortable space to work in,” they said, “ and Awahou thought it was neat as it gave them the opportunity to suggest possible changes in their own community.”

Other schools at the meeting included Feilding Intermediate, Feilding High School and Hato Paora College, with representatives from Salvation Army Employment Training Group, Manchester House, Neighbourhood Support, police, truancy, churches and Te Manawa also in attendance.

Three further meetings are scheduled for the rest of the year – on September 22 (with “Promoting Safety” the selected subject), October 20 and November 17.