Invercargill City Youth Council

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Youth Council applications for 2026 are open

About the Youth Council

The Invercargill City Youth Council exists to empower rangatahi (young people) by ensuring that their voices are heard on local matters and during Council decision-making processes.

Youth Council members are made up of up to 25 young people interested in providing a youth perspective to Council and include representatives of Invercargill secondary schools. The group is open to all young people aged from 12 to 24 who put themselves forward for nomination.

The Youth Council, which has existed since 1998, meets on Wednesday afternoons, every 4 weeks with additional engagement opportunities available in between. The meetings are formal with minutes and agendas – but the atmosphere is casual and relaxed. Chairpersons are elected at the beginning of each year.

The Youth Council aims to:

  • Provide civics education and experience how Council works.
  • Engage young people in Invercargill City to have a voice in decision making.
  • Promote the inclusion of young people in city life and activities.

Youth Council members are involved in youth-related activities across Invercargill and Aotearoa. They explore the workings of Council, share fresh ideas with Councillors and each other, get involved with local community organisations and actively connect with other young people of Invercargill. Above all, they foster new friendships and have a great time together! Funding for such activities and participation is provided by the Invercargill City Council.

Applications to be part of next year's Youth Council close on 6 October 2025, so apply today!

Youth Council applications for 2026 are open

About the Youth Council

The Invercargill City Youth Council exists to empower rangatahi (young people) by ensuring that their voices are heard on local matters and during Council decision-making processes.

Youth Council members are made up of up to 25 young people interested in providing a youth perspective to Council and include representatives of Invercargill secondary schools. The group is open to all young people aged from 12 to 24 who put themselves forward for nomination.

The Youth Council, which has existed since 1998, meets on Wednesday afternoons, every 4 weeks with additional engagement opportunities available in between. The meetings are formal with minutes and agendas – but the atmosphere is casual and relaxed. Chairpersons are elected at the beginning of each year.

The Youth Council aims to:

  • Provide civics education and experience how Council works.
  • Engage young people in Invercargill City to have a voice in decision making.
  • Promote the inclusion of young people in city life and activities.

Youth Council members are involved in youth-related activities across Invercargill and Aotearoa. They explore the workings of Council, share fresh ideas with Councillors and each other, get involved with local community organisations and actively connect with other young people of Invercargill. Above all, they foster new friendships and have a great time together! Funding for such activities and participation is provided by the Invercargill City Council.

Applications to be part of next year's Youth Council close on 6 October 2025, so apply today!

  • Community Cookbook Celebrates Welcoming Week 2024

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    Kia ora, Invercargill!

    As part of Welcoming Week 2024, the Invercargill City Youth Council is thrilled to launch a special community cookbook that celebrates the rich diversity of our city. This project was inspired by feedback from the community, who expressed a desire to see more opportunities to celebrate our unique cultures and stories.

    The cookbook is a collection of tāoka (treasures) in the form of recipes, each one reflecting the unique traditions, flavours, and memories of our people. From traditional dishes passed down through generations to new favourites that represent the diversity of Invercargill today, this cookbook is a tribute to what makes our city so special.

    You can easily download the cookbook as a PDF here, making it accessible for everyone. We encourage you to print your own copy, share it with friends and whānau, and enjoy these recipes together over the summer period. Food has a way of bringing us all together, and we hope this cookbook inspires you to explore new flavours, share in our community’s rich heritage, and create new memories.

    Ngā mihi nui to everyone who contributed their recipes and stories. Together, we are building a community that embraces and celebrates its diversity.

    - The Invercargill City Youth Council

    Kia ora, Invercargill!

    As part of Welcoming Week 2024, the Invercargill City Youth Council is thrilled to launch a special community cookbook that celebrates the rich diversity of our city. This project was inspired by feedback from the community, who expressed a desire to see more opportunities to celebrate our unique cultures and stories.

    The cookbook is a collection of tāoka (treasures) in the form of recipes, each one reflecting the unique traditions, flavours, and memories of our people. From traditional dishes passed down through generations to new favourites that represent the diversity of Invercargill today, this cookbook is a tribute to what makes our city so special.

    You can easily download the cookbook as a PDF here, making it accessible for everyone. We encourage you to print your own copy, share it with friends and whānau, and enjoy these recipes together over the summer period. Food has a way of bringing us all together, and we hope this cookbook inspires you to explore new flavours, share in our community’s rich heritage, and create new memories.

    Ngā mihi nui to everyone who contributed their recipes and stories. Together, we are building a community that embraces and celebrates its diversity.

    - The Invercargill City Youth Council

Page last updated: 24 Nov 2025, 04:56 PM