Candidate puts himself forward

Youth worker Matthew Urry intends to stand for election to Wanganui District Council this year. Photo / Natalie Sixtus

When Whanganui held its last local body elections in 2013, Matthew Urry was too young to stand, so he bided his time and now the 20-year-old youth worker is throwing his hat in the ring.

"I want to promote Castlecliff and see council put more effort into the community here.

"The council does a good job of looking after the centre of town, but I think there needs to be someone looking out for the people in Castlecliff, and that could be me."

Mr Urry says he would like to see council give more support to the Castlecliff Sunday market to help it become as busy as the Saturday Riverside market.

"There are some good stalls there, and it is a good event for children with pony rides and a bouncy castle, but it would be good to see more stallholders and attract more visitors."

As a young person who supports youth, Mr Urry says he would like to see the skatepark receive an upgrade.

"It has been there for about six years now and I think it is time it got some attention, because it is showing wear and tear."

The surf club is another Castlecliff structure that he would like to see upgraded and running as a fully functioning club again.

Mr Urry said he is an only child but does not believe he has been spoiled.

"Some people think only children are spoiled, but I don't think it is true in my case," he said.

He received his secondary education at the Wai Ora Christian Community Trust in Brunswick.

"I learned a lot about horticulture and it taught me to appreciate the natural environment," Mr Urry said.

"The alternative education suited me, and I think it is what inspired me to do the work I do now."

Mr Urry is a support worker with the YMCA Breakaway holiday programme supporting young people attending activities around Whanganui.

Campaigning for the 2016 local body elections will start in July, and Mr Urry said he wants to declare his interest early so that people know he is here and willing to work for his community.