The Auckland Council Youth Advisory Panel’s End of Term Report (2019-2022) was presented to the Council’s Parks, Arts, Community and Events (PACE) Committee on Thursday, 22 September 2022.
The report was presented by Murali Krishna Magesan, President of Hindu Youth New Zealand and co-chairperson of the Youth Advisory Panel with Amy Irvine, co-chairperson of the Cross Panel Climate Change Working Group. Murali Krishna Magesan has been living in Auckland since 2014 when he moved from Rotorua to pursue his B.E. (Hons) at the University of Auckland and currently working as a Product Development Engineer at Fisher & Paykel Appliances.
For the last eight years, he has lived in various parts of Auckland, including Central, East and South Auckland interacting with various socio-economic groups and connecting with diverse communities in Tāmaki Makaurau. In 2019, he was selected to be a part of the Youth Advisory Panel, one of the six demographic advisory panels Auckland Council has as part of their community engagement mechanisms.
“It has been an absolute pleasure working with a diverse cross-section of young people from across Auckland to help provide insights and feedback across numerous work programmes and initiatives Auckland Council is undertaking,” said Murali Krishna Magesan.
“I am grateful for the opportunity that Auckland Council has provided me, to be able to give back to my city in such a meaningful way,” he added.
Amy and Murali were able to reflect and provide feedback and advice to councillors and the Mayor of Auckland on a range of topics, from youth mental health, employment, the cost of living to youth homelessness and climate justice.
“It has been a very eye-opening experience, coming into the panel not knowing what to expect and being thrown into the deep end. The panel and I were lucky to have amazing council staff who were very supportive and guided us over the term,” Murali Magesan said.
“The learning curve was interesting and gave a fantastic an insight into the workings of Auckland Council. COVID-19 didn’t make this journey particularly easy either, but I am very proud of what the panel achieved despite the challenges,” he added.
He said that it is very easy to complain. Putting the blame on others [read politicians] can be very easy, however, taking responsibility for yourself and others often requires a bit more initiative.
He realised that politics is present in all aspects of people’s lives.
“If you want society to thrive, you need to have the appropriate decision makers in place. In the same manner, if you don’t like what you see, being part of a democracy, you also can participate and do something about it,” Murali Magesan said.
After his experience of working on the panel, he has been motivating other youth leaders to get involved and ensure their voices are heard.
“If you don’t know where to start, try your local board, your schools, your surrounding communities. It doesn’t matter where but start participating in your community and get involved,” said Murali Magesan.
“And please vote in the current local body elections!”
For more information,
Hindu Council of New Zealand