Mayor calls for youth to have their say

Mayor Ray Wallace says results from the youth survey launched today will help improve the way council and other agencies communicate with young people in the Hutt.

“One of the issues that came out of our first youth survey in 2010 was local young people often didn’t know where to go for help and information.

“This year we have teamed up with the Ministry of Youth Development to find out how to make help and information more accessible and we want to hear from young people how best to do that,” he says.

The survey, open to 12 to 24 year olds, asks a mixture of multi-choice and open questions such as ‘Where do you go or who do you talk to for help or advice?’ and ‘How do you prefer to receive information?’. Focus groups will also be held with young people across the city.

Mayor Wallace says the results will also help shape the development of council’s future Children and Young People’s Plan which will guide council’s support of children and youth in Hutt City.

“Our young people are an important part of our city and it’s important they are heard and are given support to contribute to our communities.

“I’m particularly interested in the answers to the survey question ‘If there was one thing you wanted for young people in the Hutt Valley, what would it be?’. I’m sure there will be some creative responses.”

The survey is open until Friday 30 March and can be completed online at www.huttcity.govt.nz/youthsurvey

Paper surveys can also be completed at schools, Hutt City libraries, Secret Level, Vibe, Naenae Computer Clubhouse, Wainuiomata Community Centre and Hutt City Council on Laings Road from next Monday.

To say thanks for their time, respondents will go in a draw to win an iPod Touch or one of five $20 Westfield Vouchers and lots of other great prizes.

This is a joint initiative by Hutt City Council and the Ministry of Youth Development.