Tristy Vadnjal focusing on youth and business

Creating opportunities for Taupo’s youth, is a major motivation behind Tristy Vadnaj standing as a councillor this election.

Vadnaj, a mother of four, moved to Taupo 10 years ago to escape Auckland for a better lifestyle for her family. She wants Taupo to be a place for others to move to and to shed its ‘‘transient town’’ label.

‘‘It gets my back up a little when people call Taupo a transient town,’’ she said.

‘‘People want Taupo to be a Queenstown of the north but we need it to be unique for us.

‘‘We have the lake and natural scenery, and we also have agriculture and energy. There is so much we can tap into.’’

Vadnaj said the natural resources of Taupo could be turned into additional opportunities for youth and young families by creating employment, education opportunities and contributing to an affordable lifestyle.

‘‘All of my ideas focus around youth because they are the future of everything,’’ she said.

‘‘I want my children to be able to return to Taupo to raise their families. We know children are going to fly the coop and travel for a few years but having them able to settle down here would be great.’’

After moving to Taupo, Vadnaj saw first hand the challenges of setting up a business in town and she wants to see council offer more to start-up companies.

‘‘I think it’s the role of Taupo District Council to have in place a planning consultant free of charge to assist business get started in town,’’ she said.

‘‘Someone could come in with a business plan and they can talk them through everything from consents, ideal locations and how they can be assisted.

‘‘There are so many empty shops. Tongariro Road needs to be our Queen Street and really showcase what we have to offer.’’

Vadnaj volunteers for a range of junior sports teams, the Taupo Fashion Show, and sits on the Government board for the Anamata Cafe, a youth clinic that focuses on health and education.

She studies local politics closely and has decided she can best serve the town she loves by standing as a councillor this election.

‘‘I have decided this is the direction my life should go and I look forward to the challenge,’’ she said.