Rangitīkei byelection: Cian O'Gorman brings a youth voice to the table

Rangitīkei District Council Southern Ward byelection candidate Cian O'Gorman. Photo / Supplied

At the beginning of 2020, 24-year-old Cian O'Gorman was travelling Europe on his OE, volunteering to teach English at a school in Spain.

By the end of 2020, O'Gorman had rushed home due to Covid-19, settled down and got a job in his community and even thrown his hat in the ring to fill a vacant council seat.

O'Gorman is one of the two candidates to put their name forward for the Rangitīkei District Council Southern Ward byelection.

O'Gorman said he brought a more youthful voice to the table - one he believed was often overlooked by current councillors.

"I feel like I'd just like to be a voice for people my age in an area like Marton. Sometimes it doesn't feel like we have much of a voice."

"I want to bring that perspective to council. We are the future."

O'Gorman is a librarian and information cadet in Bulls based at the new Bulls Community Centre - the project that sparked the resignation of former councillor Jane Dunn resulting in the byelection.

He said that while the project was overwhelmingly successful it did have shortfalls.

"I mostly think the community centre is a good thing," O'Gorman said. "I definitely agree with [Dunn] that it would have been good to have a set of changing rooms."

O'Gorman said he would have clear priorities as a councillor; roads, water and climate change.

"Some of the things I've heard is the quality of the roads. The water quality too, that's a big one. It's not nice to drink water when it smells off and it tastes off.

"Also climate change is a big issue for our future."

O'Gorman said that he had spent time developing relationships with current councillors, and did follow council business.

"I've got to know a few of the councillors personally. I definitely would like to get involved."

While O'Gorman doesn't reside in the Southern Ward, he said his employment at the Bulls Community Centre means he has strong connections with the local community.

"I've definitely got to know quite a few people in Bulls through the community trust, and quite a lot of locals to get their opinion on what they want for Bulls."

Asked what he wants to achieve, the aspiring politician said he wanted to make the council process more inclusive.

"I'd like to be a voice for not just young people but people who don't feel they have a place in council. That's what I'd like to be."

Voting papers will be delivered from January 26 with voting closing on February 17.