1/10/2012

Put Children and Young People First in the Unitary Plan

The Manurewa Youth Council is calling on Auckland Council and all 21 Local Boards to ensure that children and young people are put first as the Unitary Plan is developed for Auckland City.

The Unitary Plan is currently being put together to replace all regional and district plans which were in place before the amalgamation of Auckland into one council. This plan is one of the key tools to implement the Auckland Plan which was passed in May 2012 and will hold the strategic direction for Auckland’s development over the next 30 years.

The Auckland Plan says that its first priority is to put Children and Young people First in the development of Auckland as they are the future of our city and compose of around 40% of Auckland’s population.

“What does First really mean and how will Auckland Council ensure children and young people are put first in the Unitary plan?”, asks Simeon Brown, chair of the Manurewa Youth Council.

“If Auckland Council is actually committed to putting children and young people first, then children and young people must be engaged throughout the creation of the Unitary Plan.

“This plan will affect young people across our city in numerous ways for many years to come – we must be consulted.

“Do young people want to live in a city which is more compact? What transport options do young people want? How do we want our open spaces used? These are the real questions which this plan will be answering and young people must be at the forefront of answering them.

“Young people are the future of Auckland. Young people must be consulted, and young people must stand up and have their voices heard. Without their voice, this plan will simply reflect the views of those writing the plan, but not the young people of Auckland which it will be continuing to affect for decades to come," says Brown.

The Manurewa Youth Council will be expecting to be consulted by Auckland Council and will be empowering all young people in Manurewa to have their voices heard. The Manurewa Youth Council also looks forward to hearing how Auckland Council intends to consult young people across Auckland in meaningful and engaging ways.

ENDS

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