Meet the Hurunui Youth Council Team

Hey I'm William

This is my second year on HYC and I attend Hurunui College.

I am a member of the Hawarden Indoor Bowling Club and play in the Crackerjack Outdoor bowls competition every year. I am also a member of the Hawarden Games group. I have just completed an Outward Bound course which has been recognised as one of New Zealand's most challenging experiences.

What issue you are passionate about? The environment - natives (birds and bush).

What projects are you keen to get involved in 2024? More planting days and other environment activities.

What animal would you be? Kiwi.

Kia Ora my name is Millie Jane Mcilraith. This is my fourth year as Hurunui Youth Councillor.

Tell us a little about yourself: Outside of the Youth Council, I am a clay target shooter. Clay target shooting has helped to teach me determination, hard work, and resilience, which are key values I bring into everything I do. These values have led me to represent New Zealand in skeet shooting which has been a great honour. I also have a love for public speaking. My public speaking ability in 2023 led me to win the New Zealand Lions Young Speechmaker of the Year competition. Winning this competition was amazing and something I couldn't have done without the support of the community

What issues are you passionate about? Issues that I am passionate about are equal opportunities for everyone. I am also passionate about education and sustainability.

What projects are you keen to get involved in 2024? I am keen to work on youth grants as my project this year, while also working with the Hurunui Youth Programme and my fellow counsellors to help see their projects and plans come to fruition.

What animal would you be? Giraffe... to reach the top shelf.

Hi, I'm Sam.

This is my third year on the Hurunui Youth Council. I'm currently studying at Ara.

What issue are you passionate about? I'm really passionate about getting youth involved with work in the communities and helping to give back.

What projects are you keen to get involved in 2024? I'm keen to have YES Camp run again, as well as possibly bringing YSAR to Hurunui.

What animal would you be? Rhino.

Hey I'm Aliannah.

Kia Ora my name is Aliannah, I'm 16 and this is my second year of Youth Council. I enjoy sports, cultural activities and learning new languages.

What issue you are passionate about? I am very passionate about incorporating the world of Māori into our council more and providing more open experiences to the public.

What projects are you keen to get involved in 2024? This year my goal is to get a functioning festival into Hurunui, as well as marketing Hurunui better for the youth to enjoy.

What animal would you be? Wolf.

Hi, I'm Laura.

I'm 16 and a proud student of Amuri Area School. I was apart of the 2022 and 2023 HYC and I absolutely loved it. I loved being able to engage with young people in our district and listen to what they want. I loved trying to come up with ideas that can better our community and that young people would also love and benefit from.

Tell us about your interests: I enjoy competitive swimming, reading, meeting new people and helping people.

What issue are you passionate about? Injustice and inequality.

What animal would you be? Honeybee.

Hi, I’m Tamzyn. I live in Waiau, I'm a part of ECan ropu and for the last two years I have been a part of the Amuri ward.

Tell us about your interests: I love animals and my family, and enjoy helping youth and getting things up and running for them to enjoy.

What issue are you passionate about? I am passionate about connecting communities to other communities and other districts, and getting children and youth more involved in community activities.

What animal would you be? I would be a horse because they are free spirts and wild animals that have their own mind.

Hello, I'm Taylor. I'm a digital designer who wants to start my own business and support other indie artists in my field. I'm working on a video game with a good friend, which I'm set to start coding for soon.

What issue you are passionate about? Youth mental health.

What projects are you keen to get involved in for 2024? Bringing useful support and counselling in a safe place for those struggling with their mental health.

What animal would you be? A fox so I can nap anywhere and sneak into spaces I'm not supposed to be!

Hi, I'm William. I'm a lifeguard at the Hanmer Pools and also a representative on the HYC.

My reason for joining youth council: I joined the council to help bring awareness around safety on our roads, including positive decision-making while driving and motorcycle awareness, as well as considering the barriers that may impede a young person from being able to either obtain a licence or respectively follow the conditions set for their licence type.

What issue you are passionate about? I also hope to bring awareness about mental health around our youth and ensuring young people have a positive and accessible outlet to talk and chat with someone should they need to, and are surrounded by the right group of people to promote that positive energy.

What animal would you be? Fox.

Hi, I'm Hayley. In my spare time I'm either drawing or playing games. My favourite sport is hockey and I can deadlift 70kg.

What issues are you passionate about? Mental health and support for rural rainbow youth.

What projects are you keen to get involved in 2024? Trying to make mental-health help more accessible to all youth.

If you could be an animal, what would you be? If I were an animal, I would be a sea otter or red wolf.

Kia Ora, my name is Madison and this my first year on the Youth Council. In my spare time I enjoy music and playing the piano.

What issues are you passionate about? Creating equal opportunities and connections in the community.

What projects are you keen to get involved in 2024? I’m keen to be apart of YES Camp as I’m passionate and interested in the medical field careers.

If you could be an animal, what would you be? A house cat, to enjoy a lazy life.

Hello, my name is Miane Grove. I am 16 and this is my first year on the Hurunui Youth Council. In my spare time I enjoy baking, playing netball and reading.

What issues are you passionate about? I am very passionate about giving back to our wonderful community and providing the support that our youth needs.

What projects are you keen to get involved in 2024? I am looking to run camps and activities outside of school for our youth to get involved in and enjoy.

If you could be an animal, what would you be? I would be a dolphin.