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Youth Ambassadors

Honouring our Local
Young Achievers

Last Modified: 30 June 2010

Youth

Leadership Day

...the best school day ever, is an outstanding success

Leadership Day 2010
(more pictures below)

The Upper Hutt Youth Ambassadors spearheaded a youth leadership development event on Wednesday 23 June from 8.30-3pm at Lane Park in Upper Hutt. The event was aimed at preparing their peers for leadership roles in Upper Hutt. Over 100 young people aged between 12 and 18 from six local high schools took part in the day.

Tom Hern, who played Baxter Cormack on Shortland Street and was the producer of the film 'I'm Not Harry Jenson', delivered an inspiring keynote address followed by further engaging speakers Paula Teseriero (Paralympics’ Gold Medallist) and Tui Te Hau (former Trade Commissioner). Speakers shared their leadership story and several creative development activities were facilitated by the Youth Ambassadors themselves.

One participant said: "I've learnt that I can achieve my dreams despite any disability that I may have". Jesse Boyce, Community Project Manager, said: "I was really impressed with the Youth Ambassadors and how they delivered the event. They did Upper Hutt proud and young people responded under their leadership".

The event was organised in response to feedback received from Upper Hutt’s young people in the 2008 Youth Survey. Young people indicated that they felt there was a lack of local young leaders/role models to look up to in Upper Hutt.

The Upper Hutt Youth Ambassadors Programme began in September 2009. Twelve Upper Hutt young people were selected to be Youth Ambassadors. The goal of the programme is to enable local young people to gain quality leadership development which in turn will enable them to lead in all aspects of their life; from school to their family and wider community.

The Ministry of Youth Development requested that Upper Hutt City Council apply for additional funding specifically for extending the Youth Ambassadors Programme. Youth Ambassadors decided that was the way they would like to see the additional funding utilised to empower their peers for leadership roles.

The best school day ever “LEADERSHIP DAY” was a youth-led event funded by the Ministry of Youth Development. Upper Hutt City Council works in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Development to deliver the Youth Ambassadors programme.