Mayor Susan O’Regan will work with Maude Rewha for a year.
An 18-year-old with ties to Waipā history will go on a year-old mentoring journey with mayor Susan O’Regan.
Maude Rewha was schooled at Pekapekakarau Primary, Te Awamutu Intermediate and Te Awamutu College. Her application for the Tuia Leadership Programme outlined whānau ties and connections to the Waipā district.
She is a descendent of many of people linked to significant Waipā landmarks including Rangiaowhia and Orakau.
O’Regan has selected the Te Awamutu teenager for a mentoring journey where the two will work together to learn skills, compare views and share their vision for Waipā.
“Maude was one of three very impressive applicants; they actually blew me away with their passion and their drive to do good for our wider community,” O’Regan said.
“I would have learned a lot from any of them and it reinforced to me that we have some incredibly talented young people in our midst. I know Maude is involved for genuine reasons, she is very confident and clear in her aspirations. She will grab this opportunity and run with it and Waipā will gain a lot in return.”
The national Tuia programme involves young people across the county having monthly meetings with a mayor and attending at formal occasions.
Maude said she wanted to share her knowledge, talents and skills with others in the hope it would encourage and empower others to do likewise.
“Each of us must make a conscious choice and decision to either make it bitter or better. I choose through my tupuna,, whānau and hāpori (community) to be better.”
