Observing Our Youth
Youth voice will be well represented in the South Ward this triennium.
At the inception of the South Ward Community Board in October 2025, it was suggested by the Local Government Commission that a youth observer position be established.
Hurunui District Council’s (HDC) Governance Team Leader Michelle Stanley said that in line with the rules of the Local Government Act, a youth observer is given speaking rights and can express an opinion, but cannot vote.
“Voting is one thing, but having a voice is just as important,” said Stanley.
The Hurunui Youth Council (HYC) met for their first formal meeting in February, where they appointed the 2026 Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and the youth representatives across the district’s community boards and committees.
The South Ward Community Board’s youth observers for 2026 will be Sylvia Jongerius (who is also chairperson of Hurunui Youth Council for 2026) and Dylan Mirk. They agreed to share the role to enable consistent representation and support to one another.
Sylvia is in her second year as a member of HYC, valuing this position to see first-hand the variety of opportunities youth have across community boards and committees.
“This amplifies youth voices even further and helps us have a say in issues that directly affect our hometowns,” she said.
As a youth observer, Sylvia is looking forward to developing a greater understanding of how community boards operate and how decisions are made in the community.
She believed the continued inclusion of youth voice within the Board is extremely important.
“We continue to offer a unique perspective.”
Fellow Youth Observer Dylan Mirk is in his second year as an HYC member, and sees this new role as extremely valuable.
“It’s about being able to voice our perspectives at meetings so we can bring a local youth voice to the table.”
Sylvia said she and Dylan are both calm and responsible, and they also bring individual perspectives.
“I believe we will complement each other well.”
Mayor Marie Black is looking forward to working alongside the Youth Observers, as they will serve as a refreshing perspective.
“They will shed light on topics affecting not only them directly, but also offer a fresh lens that can reflect the future direction of our district.”
Hayley Fisher has been appointed as Deputy Chairperson for HYC, entering a third year on Council.
A fun and productive year working with Sylvia and the others to run events and advocate for youth across Hurunui and the wider Canterbury region will be a highlight.
“I feel proud to be serving in this role for my final year on HYC,” said Hayley.
HDC’s Youth Development Officer Kim Spencer said HYC actively and confidently represent the youth voice across the district.
“HYC is set up for an extraordinary year ahead.”
The Hanmer Springs Community Board currently has a vacant youth observer position, and HYC is keen to engage another young person to be a voice at the table.
Youth representation by HYC members is present on the district’s community committees, which supports Stanley’s compliment that district-wide, there is great local enthusiasm for volunteer-run community committees this triennium.
“This enables local decision making, from the bottom up.”
Shea Kelly (voting rights) and Lexi Thomson Hall (obersever) sit on the Hawarden/Waikari Community Committee, Astara Wallace-Jessep (voting rights) and Zinnea Cohen (observer) sit on the Glenmark Community Committee, and Gypsy Thornton (voting rights) sits on the Amuri Community Committee.
To see more information about the South Ward Community Board, please visit: https://www.hurunui.govt.nz/council/meetings-and-c...
To see more information on HYC, please visit:
