Jasaiah Claydon-Wade, Tuia representative and Ashburton District Council global ambassador. Photo Sue NewmanAshburton student Jasaiah Claydon-Wade is a young man going places and he credits the Tuia programme with giving him the drive to succeed in his tertiary studies.

He’s the district’s current programme member and on Thursday spoke at an Ashburton District Council meeting on the impact the programme had had, six months in, on his life.

The experiences he had gained so far had given him a new impetus and drive as he heads to Victoria University to begin studies in political science and Te Reo, he said.

His goal is to help with dispute resolution on the Treaty of Waitangi Tribunal.

The greatest impact of the programme, Claydon-Wade told councillors, was that it sparked a desire to learn more about his Maori heritage.

“I never really embraced by background previously and that’s been an inspirational journey.

“It’s been amazing to be part of a team that promotes cultural diversity.”

In his other role as the council’s cultural ambassador, he said it had been a privilege to be involved in a range of multicultural activities around the district such as the Holi colour festival, Matariki and citizenship ceremonies.

The Tuia programme is an intentional, long-term, inter-generational approach to develop the leadership capacity of young Maori in communities throughout New Zealand.

It involves mayors selecting a young Maori from their district to mentor on a one-to-one basis, to encourage and enhance leadership skills.

The young person chosen is expected to undertake and record a 100-hour community service project in their respective communities.

By Sue Newman © The Ashburton Guardian - 29 June 2020