Youth employment the target for mayoral seminars

July 3rd, 2013
[by David Armstrong]

Ways to reduce youth unemployment in Motueka will be examined at a series of presentations by Dale Williams, mayor of Otorahanga, who is credited with turning around that town's similar employment problems.

Dale, pictured right, will talk with local business owners, educators and young people at four seminars to be held at the Motueka Top 10 Holiday Park's conference room during July 18th.

He has a wealth of experience and knowledge about this seemingly intractable issue and will share practical examples, learned in Otorahanga, of what can be done to improve youth employment and as a result allow young people to feel they are a valued part of the town.

The seminar programme is the initiative of youth counsellor Carl Chapman, who has been working with Te Awhina Marae on a government-funded pilot programme to reduce youth bullying.

He says that answers to a range of problems such as bullying and youth offending arise from encouraging young people to engage more in community life, and often this can start with simply providing worthwhile jobs and training.

"Dale brings a message around why it's important that young people are supported by their community into work, why communities need to work closely together to do this, and how it can be done," he says.

The meetings on July 18th will begin with a breakfast event aimed at the all-important group of businesses and employers. Schools and tertiary education providers will be next, followed by a lunch-time meeting for older high school students and an afternoon tea for government agencies.

Dale Williams came from a motor trades background before entering local body politics in 1995 and being elected as mayor of Otorahanga - a town of similar size to Motueka - in 2004.

Carl says that Dale's passion for the trades, young people and his communities has been instrumental in leading "remarkable change in local youth employment opportunities".

Dale chairs the Mayors' Taskforce for Jobs and works with mayors across New Zealand to advance a policy of "zero waste of young people".

This is particularly appropriate for Motueka, which often sees its young people having to leave town for jobs or becoming long-term unemployed.

Anyone wanting to attend one of the seminars should contact Carl by email at or phone 03.

Comment by Johny O'Donnell:
[Posted 4 July 2013]

I'm glad to see something is being done to raise the issue of youth unemployment in Motueka which is rife and contributes largely to the exodus of young people after finishing High School. Motueka needs to be seen as an attractive place for young people to live, that requires modern infrastructure and community.

From a leadership point of view, Motueka needs representatives on council who are seen as approachable and committed to making Motueka a great place to live for young people. One of the great tragedies of the last local body elections was Motueka missing out on electing Tara Forde and I hope we have a chance to make good on that this year.

Comment by Paul Johnson, Community Youth Works SVS / Living Safe:
[Posted 4 July 2013]

This is a fantastic opportunity for Motueka and I hope that these seminars are well attended. There is great learning to be taken from what has happened in Otorahanga; if Motueka is to follow suit, it will take those at the top to stand up, listen and ACT. Change needs to come for our youth - opportunities created so our young people are given the chance to stay on in Motueka with a decent job and wage.

Comment by Harald Laraaker:
[Posted 6 July 2013]

A Great chance to learn for Motueka! I hope the community can create enough opportunities for our youth! We need to listen to our youth with the intent to act on their behalf! Maybe there is a chance to set up something the younger ones can run themselves. All levels and qualities are required to do this.

It's a shame that the seminar is in the morning. Working folk might find it hard to make a morning time hard to make. What are the chances of an evening time?

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