Youth MP bridges generational and cultural gaps in politics

At just 17 years old, Hamilton East Youth MP Arden Morunga is dedicated to transforming his community’s present.

Speaking on Pacific Mornings, Morunga expressed his eagerness to understand different perspectives within the community.

“At the end of the day, they're different stories, but every conclusion is the same,” Morunga says.

Together with Matua Ryan from Hamilton, he has been meeting with the New Zealand Retail Crime Group and engaging with various community members.

Representing National MP Ryan Hamilton, Morunga argues that no political party has exclusive control over Māori and Pacific.

Despite his alignment with the National Party, Morunga acknowledges that the party needs to do more to appeal to Pacific voters.

Morunga and MP Ryan Hamilton. Photo/Supplied

“I think if you actually have a look within our community, Maori and Pasifika, what you'll see is that there are strong family values and there are strong traditional values which do align with the centre right.

“There's always room for improvement but we are seeing positive steps. You know, an example is obviously the under 16 social media ban.

“[This is] a government that's focused on education and focused on providing economic opportunity so that Australia is no longer the default option outside of the school but actually an alternative, that's something that I think that this government's doing incredibly well.”

Morunga’s interest in politics began to develop during the Covid-19 pandemic, when conflicting opinions highlighted the need for understanding.

Morunga is the Heaad Student at St John's College in Hamilton. Photo/Supplied

“That's one thing I think is really important is being able to connect with people where they are and take forward those issues in an appropriate manner and in a cordial manner,” he says.

“I think one thing that I find funny is that me and my papa have a lot of political debates.

“We seem to be on two different sides of the spectrum but we enjoy it because at the end of the day, after that you can go and have some kai and you're all good.

"People were talking over each other instead of to each other," he says. "Connecting with people where they are and advancing issues in a respectful, appropriate manner is essential."

Listen to Morunga's full interview here

Drawing inspiration from historical political figures like Apirana Ngata, Morunga emphasises the importance of embracing multiple cultural identities as strengths in political discourse.

"I'm proud Maori in Samoan, and I've grown up that way. You look at those cultural values from both the cultures, how you can take that into politics as well.

“That idea of respect, that idea of kaitiakitanga, and actually saying, hold on, we've got issues and instead of talking over each other, let's talk to each other, sit down at the kitchen table and get it sorted.”