Hot chocolate and cakes at Majestic Square to encourage election enrolment

Representatives from the 14 person strong Council Youth Committee and the Electoral Commission organised an event complete with hot chocolate and cake at Majestic Square on Wednesday from 7am to 9am to encourage young people to enrol in time for September’s election.

Unfortunately, it rained for much of the time but it didn’t seem to dampen the enthusiasm of those there, who included Labour Party candidate, Steph Lewis and representatives from the National, Party, Greens and the New Conservative Party as well as district councillors, Josh Chandulal-McKay and James Barron, who has the Youth Council portfolio.

District Council employee, Nicole Grey, works with the Youth Council to encourage team building, youth developing and networking. She pointed out that 37% of Whanganui residents aged 15 to 24 are Maori, considerably more than the national average of 15%.

Charlotte Hardy is the co-chair of the committee and explained that they have recently appointed 10 new members to the committee. Members can be aged from 12 to 24.

There is another event coming up this Friday. The Electoral Commission is inviting young people to come anytime between 3pm to 7pm to the old National Bank/ex-Franks building in Majestic Square to hear about possible jobs associated with the election. Nicole explained that already, young people are being employed at $25 an hour to sign up new enrolments with a target of four per hour.

River City Press 23/7/20