Offering to mentor your competition 16 months out from the Local Body Elections would have most people scratching their heads.
Unless you are Tauranga City councillor Matt Cowley, who views it as the perfect solution to re-engaging Tauranga's younger generation on local issues.
Tauranga City councillor Matt Cowley is offering to mentor young people who are interested in standing for a seat on the council next year.
The 32-year-old intends to shake-up Tauranga's traditionally grey-headed council by pumping an injection of young blood into the council chambers and is more than happy to mentor young people interested in standing for a seat on council next year.
All because of an awkward encounter with those he's prepared to take under his wing.
'It started off a little while ago when I went to young people and said: ‘I'm your young representative on Tauranga City Council' and they raised their eyebrows thinking ‘really',” says Matt.
'When you are looking at the economy and see the amount of people who are going to be over 65 years, it's going to need a young workforce that are able work for the people that aren't working age anymore. We really need a young voice and for them to have their say.”
Tauranga's 37 per cent voter turnout at the 2013 elections was one of the lowest in the country and there is a distinctive need to increase the younger vote, says Matt.
Part of the reason being technology means that young people now know more about what is happening on the other side of the world than in their own backyard, adds Matt.
So he's prepared to help young candidates form their own relationships and connections leading up to the 2016 Local Body Election on October 8, then helping them to understand how the council system works if they got elected.
This includes breaking down any intimidation factors young people might find when it comes to talking about local issues such as rates and infrastructure.
In 2013, Matt was elected in the At-Large ward and referred to by Tauranga Mayor Stuart Crosby as ‘the baby' of the new, young blood of city council.
This is a trend Matt hopes to continue even if it means one of his potential protégés ousting him.
'I'll be thrilled because the fact is I always intended to get back onto the career ladder after a couple of terms. So if I'm able to engage young people on local issues it will be a thrill.
'If I'm able to give someone a good platform to climb up on, that's great.”
Since going public with the initiative, youth feedback has been they're either looking at going to university or are currently at university so there is possibly no time.
Wrong, says Matt, who currently juggles postgraduate university studies with his full-time commitment as a councillor, and is sure others could do the same.
For more information, call Matt on 027 698 9548 or email matt.cowley@tauranga.govt.nz
10 comments
Here's an idea ...
Posted on 03-07-2015 09:59 | By Murray.Guy
How about restoring a little 'meaningful democracy' this new collective has successfully and deliberately chosen to erode with it's secret squirrel focus and perceptions of predetermined decisions. It will take time BUT it can be done. Open up your meetings, encourage participation from the outset, put aside personal bias and feelings of insecurity - let the community know that you are there to listen, to consider, to apply yourselves to meeting community expectations, rather than just those in the shadows who seek to enhance their personal wealth and recreational expectations at the cost of those who can least afford it. The mentoring is an excellent initiative if coupled with an understanding of 'applied democracy' and an acknowledgement that this requires integrity more than specific age or other demographic.
37 per cent voter turnout?
Posted on 03-07-2015 14:02 | By YOGI BEAR
maybe it is the apathy around TCC, the arrogance, and generally being completely ignored that ratepayers/voters feel that it is all pointless, no honesty and so on.
Yes Murray
Posted on 03-07-2015 14:04 | By YOGI BEAR
So what has exactly been changed from when you were last in there?
Yogi need pictures?
Posted on 03-07-2015 14:16 | By Murray.Guy
Read my post and follow the news. Increasingly this term Mayor and Council have gone out of their way to disenfranchise the community at large. Yes previously senior staff and team Crosby have attempted the same BUT their constant efforts were repelled. Anybody could address Council at anytime, subject to available time, confidential briefings were an exception rather than the rule, all meetings had an informal workshop type agenda component as required, meetings were audio recorded. Doubling of staff delegations and spending limits with corresponding reductions in elected members contributions. Do I need to draw you a picture?
Bored already Matt?
Posted on 03-07-2015 16:15 | By nerak
Is Murray Guy bitter or what?
Posted on 03-07-2015 16:38 | By Councillorwatch
Democracy means you sometimes get elected and sometimes you miss out. Having missed at the main election and also at the by-election, just learn to accept that and get yourself ready for another visit from a couple of highly respected gentlemen convinced that you are the one to represent them on the next council. Meantime put aside any personal bias and look at how things were really done when you were on council. I recall that council buying a Speedway business, I think at a secret squirrel meeting. What way did you vote? Good on Cr Matt for having some intelligence and putting the effort into getting younger people interested in democracy.
More young Councillors
Posted on 03-07-2015 17:07 | By Colleen Spiro
I listened to the ARTbop interview with Matt, and he reckons, he could do with half a dozen young people onboard at Council......Excellent idea, as long as they vote independently, and for the good of ALL citizens of ALL age groups.
2-edged sword.
Posted on 03-07-2015 18:13 | By dgk
I'm told that 32 isn't even slighty young. Ones younger than that will have some new ideas, but will they be able to manage the harshness of politics?
huh
Posted on 03-07-2015 20:35 | By Capt_Kaveman
a flood levy thats been reneged thousands on a cycleway thats need somewhere else, nothing has change the traffic lights are a joke, Mt land sold which wasn't their debt, traffic islands put instupid places making some more of a hazard eg Brookfield primary / Papamoa collage, Wbay school + the hazardous bus stop owens ret village just for starters, so really what im saying is this councill are really getting nowhere and creating more problems in other areas, i saw a storm water lid bolted down now whats gonna happen when the drains are full and the pressure release is close?
+
Posted on 03-07-2015 20:37 | By Capt_Kaveman
nothing worse than self promotion when the dollars are exchanging hands here
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.