Youth on agenda for Te Whare
Bluelight national camp manager Chris Te Whare has put the green light on his bid for Taupo District Council.
The former policeman, and teacher, from Te Kuiti and Turangi says he has the ability to be an effective and valued team member for council and felt it was time to put his hand up.
Te Whare wants to be a voice for the youth in the district and has a unique insight into what young people need.
‘‘I work with young people all the time through work,’’ he said.
‘‘I enjoy the work and am excited about bringing that to council.’’
Te Whare spent six years in the Tongaririo Turangi Community Board where he was instrumental in getting a skate park for youth in town.
‘‘We managed to have the youth take ownership of the skate park which has meant damage to the park has been minimal,’’ he said.
While his roots are in Turangi, Te Whare made the move to Taupo last year and has been busy rolling up his sleeves and getting involved in the community. He sees council as a natural fit for him given his experience.
‘‘I’m a Board of Trustee for Wairakei School and also serve on the trust for 100 per cent Lake Taupo charitable and I have applied to be on the pathways for youth trust to help young people find work,’’ he said.
‘‘I thought it was best to run as a Taupo ward councillor as I now live here.’’
Te Whare sees his time in Turangi as a strength as it means he has lived, or worked, in all three districts that make up Taupo District council.‘‘It gives me a good understanding of the challenges each of our wards face,’’ he said.
He aims to work together with people all across the region moving forwards.
‘‘There are a lot of people doing good things in our district and I would like to be a team member that can bring all those ideas together,’’ he said.
‘‘I just think there is much we can do if we work together. I don’t want Taupo to become a Queenstown we have got good building blocks to do something great.