Programme helps to bridge generation gap

The role of Youth Ambassador has added fuel to Kristy Duncan’s burning passion for Southland and for getting involved in the community.

An enthusiastic born and bred Southlander, Kristy had always wanted to give back to the community by joining the Nightcaps volunteer fire brigade. It was her appointment as Southland Youth Ambassador that motivated her to achieve her ambition and more - the role took her on a sister city exchange to Wyong Shire in Australia which boasts a fire station fifty times bigger than the one back home. Kristy is now one of only two female volunteers for the rural fire service in Nightcaps.

Kristy is particularly interested in supporting and helping to develop opportunities for the young people of Southland. She has attended Southland District Council meetings, youth and community worker meetings, and has made regular visits to schools to introduce herself to principals and teachers and make sure they know she is keen to be involved with the pupils in any way. She has also assisted with holiday programmes, working with communities, organising activities for school pupils, and talking to emerging youth at several schools about the decisions they will have to make once they leave school.

When Kristy was 18, before she became a youth ambassador, she was on the Invercargill City Council Youth Council. Bill English contacted her ahead of his campaign to gain advice from a youth's perspective on what challenges the youth in Southland face. During her time as a youth ambassador, she has also developed a sound relationship with Southland District Mayor Frana Cardno after working with her on several projects. "Being the youth ambassador for Southland has shown me how to work with young people and also how to connect with adults."

In October Kristy was invited to attend the Youth in Local Government Conference in Christchurch where she had the opportunity to interact with mayors from all around New Zealand on an informal level. "The opportunities this has provided me with are huge. I have been able to get to know mayors on a personal level rather than a political one and have made so many wonderful friends and connections."

Once a new youth ambassador is appointed Kristy hopes to continue her work with non-profit and community organisations. She also plans to study teaching next year and feels that her experiences as a youth ambassador will help with that role.