Hon Chris Hipkins

Minister of Education

Friday 17 November, 2017

Twelve young people selected for Youth Advisory Group

Twelve young New Zealanders, aged 14-18 years, have been selected to take part in the Ministerial Youth Advisory Group, Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced today.

The Youth Advisory Group is being set up to enable young people to have their say and have more influence on the education system and issues that affect them.

“I am looking forward to working with this inspiring group of young people, hearing about their experiences of our education system, and how they think we can improve it,” says Minister Hipkins.

“I want our young people to have a say in the way our education system works and the Youth Advisory Group provides an exciting opportunity for young New Zealanders to get involved in the decision-making.”

The 2018 Youth Advisory Group members are:
· Shaneel Lal, Otahuhu College, South Auckland
· Bevan Xiao, Long Bay College, Auckland
· Abby McRoberts, Aotea College, Porirua
· Liam McLeavey, Waiopehu College, Levin
· Okirano Tilaia, Cashmere High School, Christchurch
· Geniqua Samupo, Avondale College, West Auckland
· Brodie Cross, Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu | Correspondence School, (Christchurch)
· Nathan Farr, Kings’ High School, Dunedin
· Hadassah Wharawhara, Te Kāpehu Whetū partnership school, Kerikeri
· Costa Blackman, Tolaga Bay Area School, Tolaga Bay
· Kate Morris, Darfield High School, Darfield
· Watene Campbell, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngā Mokopuna, Wellington

“I expect this diverse group of young people will bring fresh perspectives and valuable insights about education – they will also make sure that we are aware of the most important issues they are facing,” says Minister Hipkins.

“The youth advisory group will decide what they want to talk about at each meeting. I imagine topics include things like student wellbeing, mental health, and preparing for careers.”
Insights from this group will be shared with the Ministry of Education and other education sector agencies.
An online youth forum will include more than 150 young people who will discuss and test insights gathered from the advisory group, to ensure a wide range of viewpoints on selected education topics.

The group’s first meeting will be held in late February 2018.

ends

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