Editorial: Youth in a proud stand for district

Pride - a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from achievements, qualities or possessions that do one credit. That's from the Concise Oxford English Dictionary.

In Saturday's Daily Post we profiled Ngongotaha pastor Mark Kahu, who is playing a major role in his community trying to instil in local youth a sense of pride in their township, its people and themselves.

He and his group recently organised a special day they titled simply Youth Pride Ngongotaha, a day celebrating what makes the community on the outskirts of Rotorua city special and which demonstrated to young locals what it meant to have pride.

With pride, of course, comes ownership and instilling that in young people in Ngongotaha will also lead to respect - for themselves, for others and for the place in which they live.

Pastor Kahu, his Oasis Community Trust and other groups and individuals in Ngongotaha involved in initiatives there aimed at creating a great environment for residents, are to be congratulated for all their hard work.

It's easy to sit back and complain about whatever we think is wrong with society today. It takes commitment and ownership to step up and try to do something about it and any gain in improving a community or even just instilling a sense of community is likely to have a major effect for years to come.

Ngongotaha groups certainly seem to be playing an active role in ensuring their part of the world is as enjoyable and safe a community as they can make it.

They are a great example to not only their own people but to other communities as well.