Maaori Ward candidates surveyed on youth issues in Kirikiroa

Five of the eight candidates in the Hamilton City Council’s Maaori ward by-election responded to a Wintec survey.

We asked the candidates what the biggest issue faced by youths in the city was.

As this story was posted we had received responses from Horiana Henderson, Maria Te Aukaha Huata Donna Pokere-Phillips, Marian Ruri and Danielle Marks.

The other kaitono are Jarrad Gallagher, Riki Manarangi and Olly Te Ua.

Henderson said that it was hard for rangatahi to grow up “in the complex world we have today”.

She noted numerous studies had highlighted mental health as the number one issue faced by young people saying she would support a specific “Rangatahi Strategy that has real actionable and measurable targets for Kirikiriroa”.

Donna Pokere-Phillips pointed to council policies as an issue. She said one of the most pressing issues for Kirikiriroa, where approximately half of the 169,300 residents are under 30 years old, was the escalating financial burden due to the council’s unsustainable debt and spending plans.

Youth, particularly those struggling with the cost of living, managing their studies, and finding affordable housing, would be disproportionately affected, she said.

Danielle Marks also pointed to the cost of living.

“When we can’t get around the city to do the things we need and want to do because of a lack of transport options, we can’t thrive. The Council can make living in this city easier by supporting communities and organisations already doing the mahi.”

Mother of eight Maria Te Aukaha Huata put our question to her 18-year-old son who said “we need to start listening to rangatahi and take them seriously”.

Marian Ruri said she consulted a group of 20 rangitahi and their consistent response was that they ‘just wanted more things to do’ in the city.