Nelson Youth Council
The Nelson Youth Council is a group of twenty diverse young people aged 14-19 who work to make the city a better place for youth and to give young people a voice in Nelson.
Applications for the 2024 Nelson Youth Council have closed.
We aim to have representatives in every secondary school in the Nelson region, as well as NMIT and community representatives. We meet monthly in the Council Chamber to discuss youth issues, actions and projects we have on the go.
Visit our Facebook page or Instagram @nelsonyouthcouncil for details about Youth Council activities and awesome youth events going on in Nelson.
Youth Council Aims
Some of the Nelson Youth Council’s aims are to:
- Give Nelson youth a real voice
- Discuss and work towards solutions with the Nelson City Council and Nelson youth on issues and projects that concern young people in Nelson
- Bring the needs and concerns of young people to the attention of local and central government
- Assist with Nelson City Council’s planning processes to ensure a youth voice is heard by the Council
- Identify local youth needs and resources (and bring these to attention)
- Provide experience of local government to youth
We make submissions to Council, organise and support youth events, and sponsor youth awards. We also run our own projects and initiatives around issues we have found important to young people in the community.
Two Youth Councillors attend most Nelson City Council and committee meetings to provide a youth voice to Council.
2023 Youth Events supported by Youth Council
Teddy Bears’ Picnic
Sunday 8 January 2023 – Isel Park, Stoke
Target Audience: 3 – 10 year olds
A big day out for teddy bears and their friends. Kids entertainment, including face painting, Kath Bee singing, Akiki puppet show, garden games, and a bug hunt with the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, plus plenty more on offer for young and old teddies (and their humans) to enjoy. Bring a picnic, hat and sunscreen.
Rock the City
Saturday 29 March 2023 – Theatre Royal
Target Audience: 13 – 18 year olds
An under-18s music event featuring 8 local youth bands and acts.
Come and support Parallel Park, JOLA BURNS, Imperfect Circles, Tangent, Ruled By Venus, The De Campos Club, KC and Tizzy perform original and cover songs.
FunnYouth
Sunday 30 March 2023 – Theatre Royal
Target Audience: 13–18 year olds
Talented improvisers from Nelson/Tasman colleges will perform hilarious Theatresports games to entertain young and old.
Followed by Nelson’s improv troupe – Spontaneous Combustion and special guest Dan Allan.
Spin a Story
Friday 23 June 2023 – Fairfield House
(Workshop Sunday 14 May 2023 – Fairfield House)
Target Audience: 13–18 year olds
Youth will share engaging and inspiring stories from their own lives, performed in and around Fairfield House.
Fright Night
Friday 20 October 2023 – Founders Heritage Park
Target Audience: 13 – 17 year olds
Our annual haunt fest is held at Founders Park, come and see if you can handle our spooks!
Other Youth Events
Umbrella Market
December 2023 (date TBC) – 1903 Square
Target Audience: 8–16 year olds
Children are invited to sell their goods in the lead-up to Christmas. Each child brings a standard umbrella which, upside down, becomes their ‘stall’ in which to place the goods for sale.
Parents may attend, but the children do the selling to learn about the value of money, negotiating skills, appreciation of what others can afford to pay, gain confidence in interactions and discover the joy of passing on an item they’ve finished with!
Contact Us
We are all about hearing the voice of youth! If you have anything that you think needs to be said feel free to get in contact with one of us or visit our Facebook page so we can represent you!
Contact the Nelson Youth Council through Council's customer service, enquiries@ncc.govt.nz