18-year-old runs for council
If a Wairarapa student gets elected to her local council she would be 47 years younger than the average current councillor.
Climate activist leader Carys Gibbs, 18, of St Matthew’s Collegiate, has put up her hand for a seat on Masterton District Council in the upcoming local body elections.
Looking to inject some fresh thinking into this year’s campaign, Gibbs is in her final year of college and hopes to make a difference where it counts.
‘‘I think an issue we are seeing not only at a local level, but also on a national and international level, is that today’s leaders don’t care enough about tomorrow’s issues because they won’t have to solve them or deal with them. That is why we need youth voice.’’
Not many 18-year-olds were keen to dive into a council’s long term plan, but Gibbs was determined to get her head around the role of local government and the big issues facing her district.
She admits that there is a lot she doesn’t understand but trusts that diligence and good questions will bring her up to speed.
She had been told by another candidate that the average age of councillors this term was 65, and that having younger people stand would make a difference to the overall perspective of the council.
‘‘It’s hard for people to understand what it is like for a teenager growing up in this society. I want to be someone they can relate to.’’
As the founder of local youth group Wairarapa Schools Fighting
‘‘It’s hard for people to understand what it is like for a teenager growing up in this society. I want to be someone they can relate to.’’ Carys Gibb
Climate Change, Gibbs, along with her team of secondary school students from across the region, led the school strikes earlier this year.
‘‘Climate change affects everyone, as the next generation it will be us that have to deal with the severe consequences. By coming together as a community, we can affect change, which needs to start now.’’
Gibbs said she was passionate not only about climate change but advocating for youth mental health and family violence support.
St Matthew’s Collegiate principal Kiri Gill was proud that Gibbs was aiming high and acknowledged it benefited the school by raising awareness of local issues.
‘‘If we’re going to encourage student voice then it’s great for the students to see one of our own making inroads into the future, because it’s their future.’’