South Wairarapa Youth Council
The newly established South Wairarapa Youth Council had their inaugural meeting in February 2026.
The Youth Council was endorsed by the Council’s Strategic Leadership Team in September 2025 to directly support the goals of the Wairarapa Youth Strategy (Te Rautaki Rangatahi o Wairarapa) by creating a platform for rangatahi to lead, connect and contribute to decisions that affect their communities.
The criteria for entry to the South Wairarapa Youth Council was applicants needed to be aged 12 to 24 years and live in the South Wairarapa district.
Meet the Youth Councillors for 2026
- Mackenzi Reynolds (Chair), 15, Kuranui College
- Sian Campbell (Deputy Chair), 15, Chanel College
- Paige Baldwin, 12, Kuranui College
- Oliver Lloyd, 13, Rathkeale
- Ryan Chen, 12, Kuranui College
- Albie Rigg-Malone, 13, Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu
- Poppy Wadsworth, 13, Kuranui College
- Jamie Anderson, 13, Kuranui College
- Maximillian McArthur, 14, Kuranui College
Front row, left to right: Mackenzi Reynolds (Chair), Poppy Wadsworth, Jamie Anderson, and Sian Campbell (Deputy Chair).
Absent from the photo is Maximillian McArthur.
Purpose of the Youth Council
- Reflect Wairarapa Youth Strategy’s commitment to empowering the youth voice
- Foster young leadership
- Ensure rangatahi are actively involved in shaping a vibrant and inclusive Wairarapa
Youth Council areas of focus
- Connect, celebrate and support one another
- Advise Council and Community Boards on how to build communities where young people thrive
- Share youth perspectives on local issues and global challenges
- Grow leadership, confidence, and professional skills
- Connect with community champions and decision-makers
- Collaborate with other youth groups across the Wairarapa region
More information
If you have any questions, please contact Council Youth Development Advisor Alex Taia-Lehmstedt at alex.lehmstedt@swdc.govt.nz.
Find out more about the Wairarapa Youth Strategy: Te Rautaki Rangatahi o Wairarapa: Wairarapa Youth Strategy
Read the media release calling for Youth Council applicants: South Wairarapa’s new Youth Council gives voice and seat at table to rangatahi