My Account
The word ‘opportunity’ crops up a lot in conversation with 20-year-old Thomas Stiven, of Gulf Harbour. He is a strong advocate for young people getting involved in their communities and he recently lead by example when he stood for the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board. Although he wasn’t successful in getting elected, he told Jannette Thompson the experience was well worthwhile ….
I had no idea how many hours would be involved when I nominated. Everything else in my life ended up being put on the backburner including my uni studies. The campaign ate up all my time, virtually seven days a week and all my other commitments had to be juggled around it. But, in saying that, it was a fantastic experience. I really enjoyed the public meetings even though attendances were often disappointing. It was great to interact with people who were engaged and who cared about their communities. The public meetings were also a challenge on a personal level because you would be asked questions that you couldn’t always answer. And there were always those people who would encourage you to think about issues from a different perspective. Silverdale Primary organised a mock election, which was an awesome initiative.
Campaigning taught me the importance of networking and having good people behind you. When I first started, I stood on the side of the road with a sign. A few supporters came along but we got a lot more negativity than expected. Later in the campaign, I did it again, but this time with a team of about 50. The response was totally different. People were immensely positive, but I think it was because motorists saw me as someone who was part of their community, trying to make a difference, not just a politician. It was great to learn those sorts of things.
If I had been elected to the local board, one of my priorities would have been to look at ways to get more people engaged in local politics. We need everyone to take an interest in what’s going on, to speak up and to be heard. I can’t see that happening at the moment and this is particularly true when it comes to young people. The challenge for the Local Board will be to find ways to engage younger people. Social media is the obvious way to do this, but it has to be genuine. I guess it would be fair to say that young people generally lack initiative, but this shouldn’t be an excuse not to try to get them involved. Make it easy for them, help them to understand the issue and I believe it will happen. The reward will be that they will bring plenty of energy and ideas. When I was campaigning, I started making videos to appeal to younger voters. This basically involved me walking along the beach talking about my policies. It didn’t really achieve what I’d set out to do. Then, for my birthday, I got to go skydiving so I strapped on a ‘go pro’ and jumped out of the plane saying, “Take the plunge today. Vote Thomas Stiven.” I got a lot of traction from that stunt, with more than 8000 views. That’s the thing about engaging young people in politics though – you have to come up with something different.
When I was at Gulf Harbour Primary School, the principal, Mr Petrie, used to say, “Be the difference”. I took the words to heart and it has had a huge influence over the choices I’ve made in my life so far. While I was still at Whangaparaoa College, I joined Five Squadron, the air cadets unit based on the Coast, and I’m now an Under Officer, the highest rank a cadet can reach. Next year when I turn 21 I hope to be formally commissioned. I did think about becoming an Air Force pilot but wasn’t keen on the idea of making a 10-year commitment. I did a little bit of flying but I think it will always be just a hobby for me. Then, in my last year at college, I won a Future Leaders scholarship to Massey. It was too good of an opportunity to give up and I am now in my second year of a three-year accounting and management degree. I love the course because I’m really keen to understand business. University has also opened the door to lots of other opportunities. During my first year I joined Beta Alpha Psi, an internationally recognised society for accounting and finance students. This year I was asked to be president, which was a real honour. The society helps students bridge the gap between university and the workplace. I was also introduced to Toastmasters at Massey, which was invaluable when I decided to stand for election and had to be able to articulate my ideas in public. I’m now involved with the Manly club.
As far as what I will be doing after I graduate next year, I’m not sure. I’m a great believer in trusting that opportunities will come along and being prepared to take them when they do. That’s how I came to stand for the board. I saw an advertisement calling for candidates, and remembered how I’d admired people like Michael Goudie who was elected to both Rodney District Council and then Auckland Council. While it did seem like a bit of a crazy idea to my family, when I asked Rodney MP Mark for advice he said, “Mate, we need someone like you.” That was the turning point. I made my mind up to stand. Although I wasn’t elected, I did go to the swearing in ceremony this month. The board has my full support – after all, we are all on the same team at the end of the day. If I had an opportunity to stand again, I’d definitely take it.
I’m the sort of person who can only relax when they are doing something. I love to go fishing with my friends or tramping. I’ve climbed the Pinnacles six times and it’s still my favourite walk. Last year I spent three weeks at the Outward Bound camp at Anakiwa, in the Marlborough Region. It developed my passion for adventure and I’ve set my sights on climbing Ruapeheu in the snow. I found Brando Yelavic’s (aka Wildboy) walk around New Zealand’s entire coastline last year really inspiring. But for the moment, I am busy with studies and, because I was determined to get through uni without a student debt, I’ll continue my part-time job at Mitre 10 in Whangaparaoa.
If I was giving advice to a young person, I’d say don’t have a narrow mind or try to specialise too early. It’s important to keep all your options open so that you can slowly find what’s going to be best for you. I thought I wanted to be a builder like my father, but it turned out that wasn’t for me after all. I’ve always found that my best decisions were those that came naturally and weren’t forced. That’s why I am leaving myself open to the next opportunity.
An important final remark is a huge thank you. Thank you to all the local businesses that got behind me, especially Mitre 10 Whangaparaoa. A big thank you to the candidates – Lisa Whyte, John Davies, and Janet Fitzgerald – who supported me. Finally, the biggest thank you goes out to the voters who supported me. I remind these supporters that this is not the end, but just the beginning.
