Howick Youth Council Kicks Off Productive 2026 Meeting Series

The Howick Youth Council has commenced its 2026 meetings, setting a proactive agenda aimed at fostering engagement and development among the youth of east Auckland. The council held its first two official meetings recently, with plans to continue weekly sessions throughout the year.

Establishing a Strong Foundation

At the onset of the meetings, the council’s leadership team shared key focuses and goals designed to create a productive environment. In the inaugural meeting, the emphasis was on strengthening council cohesion and nurturing a supportive culture where all members can thrive.

To achieve this, the council engaged in various activities, the highlight being the creation of a korowai, a traditional Māori cloak. Each council member designed a feather symbolizing their personal values and beliefs. These individual feathers were assembled to form a collective cloak, representing the identity and leadership spirit of the council for the year.

Project Planning and Team Formation

The following week, discussions shifted towards project planning, encouraging members to address youth issues in their community and brainstorm potential solutions. This collaborative approach aimed to ensure that the events designed throughout the year resonate with a diverse range of young people in the region.

Additionally, council members were invited to share their passions and interests, reflecting the broader youth community in east Auckland. This exchange of ideas is intended to inform the planning of relevant and impactful projects.

To solidify the groundwork for this year, the council formed several project teams. These teams will work collectively throughout the year to develop and implement initiatives that significantly benefit young people in the area. The leadership team proudly announced the following project teams and communication team for 2026:

• Team One: Daniel Ng (team lead), Kahuriki Vasquez, Carla Mursean, Violet Taylor, Olivia Gu.
• Team Two: Aryaman Sinha (team lead), Matthew Morelli, Aliza Jivani, Trishala Sudhakar, Bianca Hu.
• Team Three: Hannah Lucas (team lead), Neha Babu, Ethan Austria, Sophia Bassano, Ian He.
• Team Four: Irene Arora (team lead), Lana Hattingh, Ruiqi Jiang, Carol Musanda, Rainie Tang.
• Communications Team: Aarav Gupta (team lead), Ellen Wu, Mia Rose, Brodie Medland, Pavani Chawla.

As the Howick Youth Council moves forward, members express excitement about the initiatives and events planned for the year ahead. The commitment to fostering a vibrant, supportive environment for the youth of east Auckland remains a top priority, with the council eager to make a lasting impact.

Aroha nui,

The Howick Youth Council