Newly selected Napier Youth MP passionate about advocating for youth
Tom Little's passion lies in advocating for the youth and the wider community, so it was only fitting he put his hand up to become this year's Napier Youth MP.
The Year 11 Taradale High School says he is "really honoured" to have been selected by Napier MP Stuart Nash.
"I feel like it is a really important role and I am really passionate about making change in my community and influencing decisions among the youth for my peers."
"In order to move forward and make change we need to get involved and get things done and I feel like that's kind of one of my why's in this world - help people and create change."
It is the latest achievement in an ever-growing list, for the 16-year-old.
He has been a Napier Youth Councillor for the past three years, was his school's Board of Trustees Representative, has his own car valet business and is a keen cyclist, having competed in a number of national age-group events.
"That's on top of being a full-time student and doing exams," Nash adds.
It is the fourth Youth MP Nash has chosen during his tenure in office. The role is "coveted" and is available once every three years.
Youth Parliament is an opportunity for 141 young people from across Aotearoa to experience the political process and learn how government works. The 2022 programme will run from March 1 to August 31 with the two-day event taking place on July 19 and 20 in the parliamentary precinct in Wellington.
"A number of MPs were actually Youth MPs but what it does do is it gives people like Tom a taste of what it is like."
Nash says he is really proud to have Tom represent him, and the city at Parliament.
"We have a great Youth MP and I think he is going to do a fantastic job.
"He's already proven he's a very staunch advocate for Napier and our country and it will be interesting to see where Tom ends up but he's certainly a very ambitious young man who I think has a very bright future."
While he still has two more years left at high school, Tom has aspirations to study Law and/or business. "I have a few ideas but I really want to run my own business."
