Sixteen high school students have been selected to serve on the Rotorua District Youth Council for 2013.
The youth council includes representatives from seven local schools and they will begin the year with a training weekend from February 8 to February 10.
They will be supported by former youth councillors during the start of the year.
"We're all looking forward to working with the new councillors," said Rotorua District Council youth projects officer Jill Campbell. "Our previous youth councillors are organising an event where new recruits will learn about local government and look at volunteering options in the community.
"It's great because it means that it's a programme developed by young people for young people."