Partners pick political path
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Bill and Hillary eat your hearts out - the new political couple on the agenda is Jami-Lee Ross and Lucy Schwader.
The Dannemora pair are proving politics isn't just for oldies with Jami-Lee, 21, entering his second term as councillor and Lucy, 27, appointed to Botany Community Board.
They met while Lucy was doing research for her masters thesis on the history and heritage of Howick.
"I was pointed in Jami-Lee's direction and when I contacted him he suggested we meet for coffee at the university.
"He kept on coming up with an excuse to bring more information to me and it just rolled from there."
After the pair got together Jami-Lee who is studying part time for a degree in politics and economics suggested his partner try her hand at political life.
"He said 'you've got pretty strong opinions there's an election coming round why don't you stand for community board?'
"At the time I was also hearing what my mother was saying about various things, like a creek she lives near was dirty and there was a lot of rubbish there.
"I thought it was all things I could be helping with."
After running a campaign the librarian and former archeologist was elected to the community board.
She admits it might seem daunting at first but maintains younger people should have a say in council.
"Botany has a lot of young working families and a lot of teenage groups.
"I feel they should have a voice."
Jami-Lee who first ran for council when he was 18 agrees.
"I definitely think young people should be involved in politics.
"Forty percent of Manukau city is under 25," he says.
"And now we have young people in elected positions to represent the whole of the community."
- © Fairfax NZ News
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