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Thursday August 4, 2022
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Joshua embraces close look at democracy Continued from page 1. Joshua says he was not part of the Youth Parliamentarian walk-out but had heard whispers it could happen. “Parliament is meant to hear all different types of voices but it was brought up in a bad taste way in my opinion.” “When I first found out I was going to be Ohariu’s MP, I was quite dough-eyed about trying to create real change but there was a realistic nature of it but I have a new-found respect for the process of our democracy. “I’m unsure where I want to head in my studies but Youth Parliament solidified my belief in the importance of engagement. “I think if I ever became an MP I’d rather go into multiple careers first because it would give me on the ground experience.” Joshua says more of an effort needs to be made on engaging young and first time voters in the parliamentary process. “The existence of the Make It 16 campaign and other youth issues, shows these movements are supported by people and we are making progress but there is a lot of work to be done to have the political voices of youth to be heard,” he says. “Regardless of any issue, if
Joshua was one of many young people getting a taste of life at the Beehive.
you feel strongly about it then you have a right to have your voice heard.” Joshua says he was stuck by the Beehive itself during the week. “You hear the high-pitched bells and you realise you have to run to the debating chambers which was a very cool experience. “My family are Samoan and
that has given me a level of empathy with 0ƗRri issues alongside co-governance and being in Parliament and experiencing things an MP would made me feel less removed from the parliamentary process. “I think one reason youth have such a low voter turn out is because they feel a bit removed from the system.
“Being in that space made me feel like we can influence change and there’s no reason why me and my friends can’t create change. “Hopefully the other youth MPs like me have been inspired by being at Parliament and seeing how it works. “It’s knowing that a vote matters.”
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William Shakespeare coined the I recently hosted a meeting which included phrase ‘Winter of Discontent’ and local property developers and he might have been referring representatives from the City and Regional to where the finds at the Councils. Theworld background foritself the meeting moment. During a all recent was the need to ensure peopleenforced involved in providing morefrom housing in our electorate, slowdown COVID, I got to whether a it be building themlocal or those watch lotthose more news, and regulating and permitting that building, world, than I normally do. The understand the issues which govern the issues are virtually indistinguishable ability to build the houses everyone agrees from country to country, the only we need. difference being it’s a ‘summer of discontent’ the ofNorthern There are essentially in two types development; greenfields and brownfields. Hemisphere, and they’re largely Greenfields means building on currently having heat-related weather issues undeveloped land, typically ex farmland on instead of the winter rain ones the edges of current urban areas, where we are. It’s all about supply chain infrastructure like sewers, water supply and issues, labour shortages, other essential services don’t existinflation, are gas prices, rising interest rates. usually built byand the developer. It just shows how joined-up the Brownfields development meanstwo rebuilding world is, where despite years on lockdowns existing sites, and has been of ofthere various degrees discussion in recent times inconsiderable every country, the issues are the around how much intensification should be same. New Zealand is becoming allowed in existing suburbs, especially more changingjoined-up of height limits this to allowweek, for more as the last travel restrictions were apartments. removed. Employers desperate for Both will havebe theirbuoyed advantages staff byand the fact they disadvantages; the Regional Council in like can bring in people from places particular see their role to prevent moreWith the Philippines to plug gaps.
our very low unemployment rate, runoff and other material ending up in our we know we have pretty much harbours, especially the Porirua harbour in exhausted the localnorth market, and at the case of development of the same time ensured wages have Johnsonville and Newlands. The Wellington risen to ensure workers survive City Council are concerned thatcan the existing infrastructure cannot handle pressure it on their wages. We the had become under when new housing areas are acomes low-wage economy which always developed. Existing aging risks opening upinfrastructure the gaps is between and needs upgrading across our city, as those in the lower paid groups evidenced by recent pipe failures. An and others. The cost of areas living advantage of intensification of existing payment totherefore those earning less means morepaid people, more than $70,000 a those year,upgrades. who are not ratepayers to pay for getting the winter energy payment, Developers of course needthe to make a profit, is designed to help lower-paid and wish tothese keep their compliance costs as through tough times. low as possible. Many believe the Resource Management Act is too cumbersome. We as
A lot offorthose people will tobe government our part have undertaken the ones called out to clear the rewrite that act. numerous slips and washouts The feedback was good, but the success will be when thereon areour sufficient affordable occurring roads and streets houses to meet demand. That is certainly my this wet winter. They allow the rest goalus as to yourget MP.on with our lives, and of deserve the recognition. That, and of course having a vibrant and functioning Johnsonville Shopping Centre we
Here’s can all behoping proud of. the weather starts to improve and the need for those callouts willto be diminish. And the There’s plenty getting on with. economic sunshine will start to warm us all up at the same time!