Young Māori-Tongan leader enters council race in rural NZ

Keshaan Te Waaka, a 21-year-old from just outside Palmerston North, has noticed a common trend: young people are leaving their hometowns in search of better opportunities in larger cities or abroad.

Now she is determined to ensure that Māori and Pasifika voices are not only heard but amplified in the decision-making processes of the Tararua District Council. She is running for a seat on the council.

In an interview on Pacific Mornings, Te Waaka, who is of Māori, Tongan, and Croatian descent, says serving her community has always been her calling.

"I've always felt there weren't many people to look up to in our small area and there wasn't much of a voice for us growing up. That's had a huge influence on me standing.”

The Tararua District Council covers a large rural area in the lower North Island, including towns like Dannevirke, Pahiatua, Eketāhuna, and Woodville.

According to the latest Census, the district has a population of just over 19,000, with 17.8 per cent identifying as Māori and 8.9 per cent as Pacific.

The Tararua District Council has a population of 19,050, and an area of 4,364.62 km². Photo/Supplied

Having grown up 20 minutes outside Palmerston North, Te Waaka’s experiences as a young Māori-Tongan woman in a rural setting motivated her to pursue leadership.

She feels that Māori and Pasifika voices are not adequately represented within the Tararua District Council.

"I don't think that our voices are heard and that's because if you look at the majority of our council members at the moment, not many are Māori or Pasifika. And if they are, it's often we don't hear the advocacy.

Keshaan Te Waaka was a recipient of the REAP Wairarapa annual Tertiary Scholarship of $1000. Photo/Supplied

“We know that the support's there, but I think that what needs to change is somebody who needs to be loud and vocal about being proud of being Pasifika or Māori and that's exactly what I think I bring to the table.”

Addressing potential critics who might question her age and experience, Te Waaka argues that her youth is actually one of her strengths.

"I've lived a completely different life to the people on the council. Rangatahi’s voice deserves to be heard as much as any other voice at the table.”

Te Waaka highlighted the challenges many young people face in her community, saying, “I feel that it's often been hard for Rangatahi to dream big in an isolated community.

“The goal is to get out. The goal is to leave here and go to bigger and better in the city because there’s limited opportunities or jobs to do here, even opportunities socially.

"What the youth wants here is more opportunities for work, more opportunities for education. If school is not for our kids, then we need to be giving them more.”

Watch Keshaan Te Waaka's full interview

Te Waaka also wants to raise awareness about Māori wards and is urging voters to retain them in the upcoming referendum.

Her advice to other young Māori and Pasifika aspiring to leadership is to find their strengths.

"You don't have to stand for council to be a leader.

“The marae has taught me so much about leadership and that everything at the front would not be able to happen without those at the back.

“It doesn't always have to be everyone at the front. Find your place.”