Two Sacred Heart College students have been chosen to represent their peers as councillors on the Napier Youth Council. 

Year 13 student Kate Mawson will begin her first term alongside Year 12 Teuila Apineru, who was also selected last year.

The two join 13 other teenagers on the city’s youth council. 

For 16-year-old Teuila, being a youth councillor runs in the family, as her brother Theodore served during his time at Napier Boys’ High School.

As a first-generation New Zealand Samoan, Teuila believes it is important to show other young Pacifika students that they can have a voice and make a difference. 

“I want to help others like me share their perspectives on important issues, even when they feel like they don’t need to or hold back.”

Kate says she is proud to represent her school on council. 

“Since it is my final year at school, I wanted to make a difference not just inside my school but in the wider community,” the 18-year-old says. 

“So, I was quite proud when I saw the email saying that I’d been accepted. I feel I now have an opportunity to have a say and work together with my peers on the youth council to make a difference.”

She is particularly interested in mental health – something which the youth council is going to focus on this year. 

“We want to put a large focus on mental health and try to find ways that we can get people, particularly young people, the help they need, and normalise everyone’s struggles.”

They are both grateful for the support they have received from Sacred Heart College. 

“Our teachers have been very supportive. They're always looking out for you and making sure you are achieving your personal best. I think having their support for the past four, now five years, has been significant in the person I am today.”

Article added: Monday 08 May 2023