Kena is in the House

It's been a particularly busy time for our Head Girl, Kenahemana Hekau!

Fresh from representing Avcol in the Whau Pasifika Festival's School Debate, Kena travelled to Wellington to take part in the 2025 Youth Parliament, representing the Kelston electorate (which includes Avondale).

Kena spoke in the House of Representatives about unemployment rates, representation within decision-making fora, and the need to vote and to understand the democratic system. Over the course of the three-day programme she came to realise along with many other Youth MPs that these issues are prevalent throughout New Zealand.

"As a cohort we came to discuss these issues and find recommendations and resolutions in which benefited our communities but also brought us closer together as a team," says Kena. "I encourage more Pacific youth to get involved within these spaces to create an environment in which we can come together as a community within parliament. So decisions are made for us, by us."

Kena was selected by Hon. Carmel Sepuloni in recognition of her authenticity, confidence, positivity and sense of duty towards her community.

"I was telling her last night that we haven’t yet had an NZ MP of Niue[an] descent - perhaps Kena will be our first!" said Hon Sepuloni on her Instagram. "Very proud of this young woman."

Given the fact that seven sitting MPs were once Youth MPs, that could be a very possible reality!