Business and politics beckon Eru Kapa-Kingi, so he was delighted to be chosen as the Te Taitokerau representative for the Youth Parliament in July.
The Year 12 student from Huanui College at Glenbervie on the eastern boundary of Whangarei won the Youth MP role over 11 other nominees during a selection process carried out at the Terenga Paraoa Marae.
The candidates were tested on their knowledge of Mana Party policy. They learned a waiata, performed a haka, and came up with skits about te Tiriti o Waitangi, the foreshore and seabed.
They talked about their beliefs and views around subjects such as homelessness in Taitokerau and youth unemployment. The topic that most affected them was youth suicide and its prevention.
Eru was on firm ground talking about youth suicide. He is a founding member of the Raid Movement set up last year after a spate of youth suicides, including some in Kamo.