Get Motivated, Get Action, Get Success

Huka Village Convention Centre, Taupo

Mihi

It's a real pleasure to have been invited to give your closing keynote speech. Why? Because as young people you hold the future of this country in your hands. So, if you get motivated, get action and get success the benefits for you as individuals, and for the country as a whole could be awesome!

Congratulations to Lion Nathan for sponsoring this conference and providing you all with the opportunity to focus on your future challenges. It's excellent to see the company making a commitment to young people in such a practical way.

I was asked to speak to you today about some of what has happened to me in the past few months. But before I go too far, I should start at the beginning, so that you know where I've come from and what I hope to achieve for young people in my time as your Minister.

I grew up in Wellington in what could be described as a typical kiwi family. I left school part way through the 7th form and worked in a number of different jobs before deciding to go to university when I was 20. That was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

When I was at University studying politics I decided that one day I wanted to be an MP. Actually it has happened heaps sooner than I expected. But it is amazing that when you set yourself goals like that and keep yourself focussed, they can actually become a reality.

When I finished my degree I started working at Parliament as a researcher. It was a great experience and although the hours were long, I learnt a tremendous amount about a range of issues and it enabled me to understand the Parliamentary environment, politics and people in general.

When I was asked to stand as a candidate in the election I initially refused. It is quite a scary prospect putting yourself forward as a candidate. It's like going for the ultimate job interview except that unlike a normal interview which lasts for an hour or two, this one goes on for weeks and the panel that grills you isn't just three or four people, it's the entire country!

One of my reservations about standing as a candidate was a fear that perhaps I was too young. You may have heard of a saying "feel the fear and do it anyway" and that's just what I did.

I got over the fear because I really believe that young people have every right to be well represented in Parliament, actually at all levels of decision making. We have a place in the decision making process and it's important that as young people we learn how to use that process and do our bit.

So I got motivated, got action and got success. When people ask me why it is that I have succeeded, the answer would have to be attitude and being prepared to do the work and that would be my message to you.

Be tenacious but also try and develop a healthy attitude. Enjoy those moments that are going well and laugh at things when they are not going according to plan. Try and stay positive. Know that no matter what, because you are determined, young and energetic you will survive and succeed.

You've been considering communication issues in the past few days, if you can get the communication right, can be assertive and honest while you keep listening, you'll do well. It's often said that the people who are the best communicators are those who are the best listeners and I think that is very true.

As an MP one of my main jobs is to listen. And I've heard some amazing and important things from young people recently. While young people often get a negative rap it's really important to keep the bad stuff in context and highlight the positive.

During the Youth Parliament in May, one youth MP said that young people want their elected representatives to have passion, integrity and courage. And the passion is there. When it comes to youth issues, it is amazing how much agreement there can be across party lines. Everyone knows that young people are this country's future and that is why I am passionate about the Youth Affairs portfolio and the people I represent.

Although at times it can be frustrating, it is also tremendously rewarding meeting switched on young people and those in the community who are there offering their energy and support.

One of the things I have learned in the past few months is the importance of asking for help. I guess as young people there is a tendency to feel like we know everything, that we can't expose gaps in our knowledge or make it known that we need advice or assistance.

But that is one of the reasons why my position and the Ministry of Youth Affairs were set up, to provide you with information and support. All you have to do is write, phone or email them. And the same applies to me. I would love to hear from you.

Today I want to put a challenge to you and it's this: if you don't know the answer to something ASK. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Not only someone else's wisdom, experience and perhaps the gaining of a perspective different from your own, but also the ability to forge a link or partnership which is really important.

In this day and age when some young people may experience a feeling of isolation or dislocation, it is vital to establish those links and networks and to draw on the guidance or support of others.

You probably know that New Zealand has a very high youth suicide rate. Every single suicide is a tragic loss and the rising figure deeply saddens me.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs is leading a Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy with input from other key agencies, aimed at decreasing the incidence of youth suicide in New Zealand and also to identify contributing factors.

One of the big dilemmas for me is whether or not we should even be talking about this issue. Certainly a lot of people believe that discussion of suicide only increases the risk of it occurring, but if we as a community are to tackle this problem then someone has to start speaking about it in a responsible manner.

In the past, part of the New Zealand psyche has been to avoid issues that are difficult or highly emotionally charged. Communication, particularly among young men has not been a strong point.

But that is one reason why I am suggesting that forging links, asking questions seeking advice and listening to others is so important. There are other reasons of course such as it makes good career sense to have role models who can help motivate you to realise your potential.

Most people are only too happy to help if they can and I think that is one of the great things about living in New Zealand. There are so many opportunities available to us all that if we put our mind to it we really can achieve those goals.

From time to time those goals may need a bit of refinement because these days no career is life-long, but education certainly is. And it doesn't finish the minute you leave the classroom. It carries on wherever you are, whether you are in the work-force or on the sportsfield.

We all have to keep learning and up-skilling as we go but if we are prepared to embrace the risks it can be very exciting. And it makes good sense to futureproof ourselves as much as we can.

I too am currently looking to the future and doing some planning to achieve my goals.

Early next year I will be calling a Youth Summit, to gather together approximately 150-200 business leaders, community groups, young people and those who work closely with them to map out a strategic direction for the future. I envisage that strategic direction being a blueprint for action that can be enacted at all levels of New Zealand society.

This is an initiative that requires a partnership approach from all sections of the community. While I see it as a Government lead initiative, if it is to succeed I believe it is important to involve as many people at the grass roots level as possible.

I expect the outcome of this Summit to be a definitive plan for Youth - a vision for 2020.

Our current drive, both in politics and in the commercial market, for individualism has many positive aspects. However, individualism is not the answer to everything and that is why I am so pleased at the partnership role Lion Nathan have played in this event.

As you grow and become the people that you want to be it is vital that you find ways to maintain the very essence of who you are as an individual. It is also important realise the responsibilities that come with those rights.

Every one of you will have a unique set of skills and attributes that you can bring to any given situation. A unique perspective and a valuable contribution to make.

Rather than feel like that has to be compromised, it is important that we enjoy being who we are. So be confident about being you.

Imagination is important too. Let your imagination run wild.

I've talked a lot about our emotional environment but the last thought I want to leave you with concerns our physical environment. When you start to get motivated, get action and get success, always take the environment into account.

All too often we see successful people going for it without giving a second thought to their impact on the physical environment around them. However, this is both a short-term and selfish point of view. It is only because others have looked after the environment for us in the past, that we have what we have currently. And we owe it to future generations to do the same.

I'd like to finish with something I read recently about a woman who won a Lion Nathan job over hundreds of other applicants because of this phrase written on the cover of her CV.

"I have conquered Lion Rock, now I will rock Lion Nathan."

I think that's excellent. Good luck to all of you in your conquests and remember to rock the boat a little too.

Thank you for the chance to speak to you all today.

ENDS