Aspiring Leaders' Forum 2012 Nominees Selected to represent the City

This year, the Mayor of Dunedin and the Otago Community Trust have selected three young people to attend the Aspiring Leader’s Forum in Wellington from tomorrow.

Every year since 2006, the Mayor of Dunedin and the Otago Community Trust have sponsored two young people to attend the Aspiring Leaders’ Forum. This year, the calibre of the applicants was particularly high, and, after two days of interviews, the panel of judges selected three representatives for the city - Elizabeth Rudd, Tereinamu Hakopa and Dominic Tay.

Mayor Dave Cull says, “This annual forum provides valuable networking opportunities for these young people who have indicated clearly that they have high aspirations for their futures and it is a good reflection on the city that there were so many young people to choose from.”

Elizabeth was nominated by the Youth Action Committee, Tereinamu by the Mayor’s Tuia Rangatahi Leadership Programme (a mentoring programme sponsored by the Mayor to improve the leadership skills and potential of young Māori people in Dunedin) and Dominic by the City of Dunedin Choir.

Elizabeth, Tereinamu and Dominic will join other young leaders from around the country in Wellington to discuss the significance of faith and values within the context of leadership.

The Aspiring Leaders’ Forum attempts to bridge the growing divide between New Zealand’s young people and its leaders by bringing them together in Wellington to debate and discuss the ideas and philosophies of leadership.

While Members of Parliament host the Forum, the focus is not purely politics.  It is also about encouraging young people to be better leaders in the areas of society they are engaged in, be it the arts, business, politics or sport.  The forum also provides an opportunity for young people who aspire to leadership to meet and form connections with others who may inspire them to achieve their goals.