Working alongside Katrina, Susan and Michael, I shared my outlook on New Zealand’s rail system and Rangatahi insight’s importance in this industry. Although the experience was nerve-wracking, speaking at the Select Committee Inquiry was an honour. It helped me realise our collective role as kaitiaki in speaking with New Zealand’s best current and future interests as the priority. In preparation, I pondered a lot about what I wanted to convey to the ministers in Cabinet, taking into account the formalities of the platform while still expressing my authentic viewpoint from the perspective of a young person in New Zealand. However, despite my preparation for the select committee panel, all my experiences working with the team and my passion for this project ultimately guided my presentation, which I hope was reflected in the recording.
Since my slot in the select committee was only two minutes, I could only briefly cover the essential parts of the information I wanted to say. In summary, my views on Rangatahi’s engagement in rail pertained to its significance and the methods for which Making Rail Work aims.
Given the instability of our social climate, Rangatahi is exceptionally uncertain about the limited opportunities made available to us in the future due to our collective inaction. As seen in the “Make it 16” movement, alongside many other protests, Rangatahi has proven to be more than capable of having a say in these views and taking action.
With the input of Rangatahi under this proposed co-operative structure regarding an inter-passenger rail network in the Golden Triangle, we would have the opportunity to create more choices and take ownership of our futures as not only Rangatahi but New Zealand as a whole.
As someone who is considered Rangatahi, being part of this team has opened many doors for me to contribute to the community in ways I never thought possible. Thank you to Katrina, Susan and Michael who have helped me so much in the preparation of the select committee process – I have truly learned so much from them. Given these opportunities to bring value and contribute to New Zealand’s future, I hope that more Rangatahi will join the process of Making Rail Work.