Call for expressions of interest from Buller rangatahi for Tuia programme in 2025

Buller District Council Mayor Jamie Cleine is calling for expressions of interest in the 2025 Tuia programme. The Tuia programme invites Mayors across Aotearoa to select a candidate to participate and take part in a mutually beneficial learning journey.

Tuia is a youth leadership programme which brings together young Māori, 18 – 25 years old, from across Aotearoa New Zealand – connecting the passions, aspirations and dreams of rangatahi Māori and inspiring them to serve our communities well.

Tuia’s intergenerational kaupapa seeks to weave people together so that their collective contributions positively impact communities, with many prior participants remaining in contact with each other, and their district’s Mayor, once the programme finishes.

Kawatiri’s 2024 candidate, Matiu Manuel (Ngāti Porou) was born in Greymouth and completed his secondary schooling at Reefton Area School in 2023. In 2024, he has been studying personal training and nutrition at the New Zealand Institute of Sport in Christchurch and plans to become a personal trainer.

Mayor Cleine says: “I was impressed by Matiu’s enthusiasm and willingness to embrace everything offered by the program. Tuia provides excellent learning and development opportunities for rangatahi, taking them out of their comfort zones and giving them new experiences, right across the motu.”

Mayor Cleine says: “The Buller District been involved in the programme for five years now, and I see this as an opportunity to grow and support the leadership of rangatahi in our district as well as strengthening cultural connections within Kawatiri."

During the Tuia journey, candidates are required to apply the experience they gain to a community project or service as part of the 12-month programme. They also attend five wānanga with other Tuia participants – to build networks, obtain support from mentors and peers, experience greater diversity and connect with their culture.

Rangatahi in Buller who are 18 – 25 years old can submit their expressions of interest until 4:30 pm on Friday 24 January 2025. The expression of interest should be a maximum of 300 words, include a brief bio and outline the candidate’s motivation and aspirations for participating in the programme. Questions and expressions of interest should be sent to jamie.cleine@bdc.govt.nz

The Tuia programme is an initiative of Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ), which is a nationwide network of New Zealand's Mayors working together towards the vision of all young people 16-25 being engaged in employment, education, training, or other positive activity in their communities.

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For more information, please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz