Horowhenua StarLevin business owner Alan Young had always been keen on following the council before he took the step to run for a seat in the Levin Ward at the last election.
“It’s an amazing role,” he says. “I get to go to cool events in the community like the AP&I Show, the Big Dig, as well as LGNZ. I have met other councillors and mayors in the young elected members network, which is for those under 40 years of age.
“You’re invited to a lot of events locally. There’s a lot more going on in the district than I realised.”
Alan loves council work so much that he’s running again this year. He felt he was prepared for the role before running last time.
“I had an idea of what was involved being an elected member, but the biggest shock was the amount of reading that you need to get through each month. It is a lot.”
He says he discussed the requirements for the role before he put his name down. Sitting councillors like Piri-Hiri Tukapua, Sam Jennings and Jo Mason were very helpful in that regard.
Describing himself as a social butterfly, he’s out and about a lot and shares his experiences online, too.
“I spend a lot of time on SnapChat and You Tube. I urge young people to read the [council] agenda and participate. I help them find the agenda online, explain issues and how we came to certain decisions.”
He says the berm mowing issue was a big one.
“People got so upset about that. Personally, I mow my own berm and have no issue with doing it, but it was a big issue for people and I had to explain time and again how and why we made that decision, which was one of many to help reduce rates rises.”
He says councillors spent many hours discussing and debating issues.
“There’s a lot of to and fro happening all the time.”
Residents bowl up to him in his Noodle Canteen shop on Levin’s Oxford Street, in the supermarket, on the street, and at events. He tries to be as approachable as possible.
He says the existing council has an amazing set of skills to draw on.
“I asked a lot of questions and the experienced councillors have been very patient dealing with this, and they taught me a lot.”
Along the way he has also discovered council can’t fix everything.
“I had no idea that issues to do with the lake were outside of our control, and so is SH1. Horizons are responsible for the lake water quality and NZTA owns the state highway.”
In his next term he would like to see more youth involved in politics, promote a young family feeling for the district and create a good platform for business to start up or move here.
“We need to think about taking advantage of Ō2NL and make sure people do not bypass us. We must have reasons for them to stop.”
Alan says being a councillor is a big commitment.
“It takes a lot of your time, you work long hours, and you are away a lot. You really need a supportive family. Don’t underestimate how time-consuming this role is.
“Your family need to know you won’t always be there at the dinner table or at family events. You must make an effort to make time for family and ensure they know when and why you cannot be there at times.”
He says councillors also needed to be prepared to listen, to the residents and to other councillors.
“I try to understand how come they have certain opinions. It helps inform my decision.”
He’s found council, councillors and the young elected members network supportive, and he’s hoping his involvement will encourage other young people to become interested in politics.
“We need to hear their opinions.”
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