St Peters College Head Boy is Youth MP for Mangere

Tuesday, November 17th, 2015

Su’a William Sio, MP for Māngere, has chosen Christopher Oleva-Tanuvasa, Head Boy of St Peter’s College to represent Māngere in next year’s Youth Parliament.

He has been selected by a panel of judges as Youth MP for Māngere for Youth Parliament 2016 from a strong pool of 7 students who competed for the role.

Youth Parliament gives young 121 young Kiwis the chance to learn first-hand about how New Zealand’s democracy works.

Christopher is an outstanding communicator with high level of cultural intelligence and oratory skills, ” Sio says.

“He is respected by his peers and the wider community and has a strong sense of social justice values.

“He is passionate about Māngere, and youth and I want to work alongside and support him so that he and his peers find their voice and fully participate in the decision making processes of our community.

“We need Christopher and all our youth to find their political voice and to be involved in politics to defend those in our communities who are vulnerable and can’t help themselves. We need Christopher and all our youth to stand up for equality and social justice in our communities.”

“I was very impressed with the calibre of applications I received. I was touched by the candidates’ passion about a variety of youth issues and their eagerness to represent their community at Youth Parliament 2016,” Sio said

“I wish I could include them all.”

The Selection Panel also selected two other runner-ups this year – Haris Murtaza from Al-Madinah School and Chunte Delores Su’a from Southern Cross – who will join the Youth MP in Wellington if sponsors can be found for them.

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