New Zealanders back Hurunui Youth Councillor to attend global assembly
New Zealanders from all areas of the country are backing Hurunui Youth Councillor Tamzyn Murdoch (16) to get to the Children’s General Assembly in Denmark in September to fly the flag for Aotearoa.
Over King’s Birthday weekend, Tamzyn raised over $13,000 through her Givealittle page, which was started by her mum, Rebecca.
The Amuri Area School Year 11 student is one of 80 young people, and only two from New Zealand, selected from across the world to attend the Children’s General Assembly. Tamzyn will join other young people aged 10 to 17 in creating a shared voice on the world’s issues ahead of the UN General Assembly of world leaders.
In her second year on the Hurunui Youth Council, Tamzyn is no stranger to speaking up and advocating for young people in Hurunui. She is also a dab hand at fundraising and started her first fundraising campaign before the age of 12 when she raised money for Ronald McDonald House.
“They helped me a lot when I was diagnosed with coeliac disease and I wanted to thank them, so I organised a toy duck-picking competition and raised close to $1,000.”
Encouraged by that success, Tamzyn went on to raise money for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, SPCA New Zealand and Christchurch City Mission.
When she needed to raise money to attend the Children’s General Assembly, Tamzyn again turned to her community to raise the money she needed to attend, holding a bingo evening in the Waiau Community Hall in May.
Being aired on TVNZ1 News this month promoted her fundraising to donors across the country.
Hurunui District Council Youth Development Officer Jo Sherwood said the youth councillor was a fierce advocate for young people wanting to stay and work in Hurunui and was not afraid of stepping into the leadership space, having recently participated in Thrive for Life coaching workshops.
“It’s wonderful she has received so much support from people around the country who have recognised her passion for our community,” Sherwood said,
Tamzyn said she wants to see how young people from across the world are solving global problems. “I want to get a different perspective on how people are solving global problems, and I also want to experience different cultural perspectives.”
Tamzyn will be presenting her own perspective as a young person growing up in a rural community in New Zealand. She said bullying, diversity and inclusion are themes she will be presenting as issues facing New Zealand youth.
Giving back to her community is in Tamzyn’s blood, with her mum, nan, granddad and uncle all active in the Waiau Volunteer Fire Brigade.
Having the support of New Zealand behind her, Tamzyn said, has been humbling.
“I am very grateful for the incredible support I have received from all over New Zealand in helping me to meet my target.”
Tamzyn has asked the Hurunui community to help assist New Zealand’s other representative to the Children’s Assembly with her fundraising target.
