THE CORE GROUP

The Core Group is self-selecting so if anyone wishes to be part of the group they are able to participate. Currently, it is made up of 19 mayors who make decisions for the of the overall group. The member of the core group are:

  Dale Williams - Mayor of Otorohanga

Dale Williams
Mayor of Otorohanga
Taskforce Chair

 Maureen Reynolds - Mayor of Tararua

Maureen Reynolds
Mayor of Tararua
Taskforce Deputy Chair
  Frana Cardno - Mayor of Southland Frana Cardno
Mayor of Southland		 John Forbes - Mayor of Opotiki John Forbes
Mayor of Opotiki
  Wayne Guppy - Mayor of Upper Hutt Wayne Guppy
Mayor of Upper Hutt		 Bob Harvey - Mayor of Waitakere Bob Harvey
Mayor of Waitakere
  <strong>Les Probert</strong><br> Mayor of Wairoa Les Probert
Mayor of Wairoa		 Peter Tennent - Mayor of New Plymouth Peter Tennent
Mayor of New Plymouth
  Alistair Sowman Alistair Sowman
Mayor of Marlborough		 Jenny Rowan - Mayor of Kapiti Coast Jenny Rowan
Mayor of Kapiti Coast
  Brendan Duffy Brendan Duffy
Mayor of Horowhenua		 Gary McPhee Gary McPhee
Mayor of Carterton
  Kevin Winters Kevin Winters
Mayor of Rotorua		 Malcolm Campbell Malcolm Campbell
Mayor of Kawerau
  Penny Webster Penny Webster
Mayor of Rodney		 Kelvin Coe Kelvin Coe
Mayor of Selwyn District
  Lawrence Yule

Lawrence Yule
Mayor of Hastings

 Jono Naylor

Jono Naylor
Mayor of Palmerston North

  Len Brown

Len Brown
Mayor of Manukau

WHY MAYORS?

Mayors are:

  • Directly elected and they have a collective ability to speak to the whole community, take civic leadership and facilitate collaboration and genuine partnerships across all sectors
  • Passionate about their communities
  • Committed to providing opportunities for all their citizens to participate

WHY YOUTH?

  • Research shows those who make a successful transition from school to education, training and work have better life long outcomes.
  • NZ is suffering widespread skill and labour shortages so we need every young person to be fully engaged in our communities.
  • NZ needs to train its young to help fill our skills shortages.
  • The demand for entry and lower level skilled workers is also growing.
  • There is global competition for skilled labour.
  • Youth are an underutilised source of labour.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Taking Mayoral leadership to engage with government Ministers, officials, agencies, community groups and the private sector which have key roles in employment is the way the Taskforce works to achieve its vision. Partnerships with government agencies and Ministers provide the Taskforce with an opportunity to discuss policy issues and inform the policy making process, particularly to ensure that policy is relevant at the local level. Working across all sectors and encouraging collaboration between agencies ensures the most effective service delivery and efficient use of resources, currently through:

  • Increasing youth transition services, modern apprenticeships, industry trainees
  • Using Long Term Council Community Plans to engage locals
  • Working with central and local government officials to develop sound policies and projects
  • Using Mayors’ collective voice to lobby on behalf of youth employment
  • Recognising and using the power of the Mayor’s office