A talented teenager who loves talking politics
Liam Calder reckons politics could be a safer icebreaker than talking about the weather these days.
The 17-year-old, who has just completed his final year at Verdon College, is determined to break down some of the barriers around young people getting involved in politics.
He says his parents and older brother and sister did not routinely discuss politics around the dinner table growing up – something all too common in Kiwi society.
“I reckon we should get rid of those barriers because that’s how we shape our relationships with people.
This is how we understand where they stand in the field.
And it’s a good conversation starter because everyone has opinions.
Anyone can argue a point, but it’s about listening to both sides.”
Possibly safer than talking about the weather too these days?
He says conversations around the changing climate is one area where young people are being seen as central to the political process – mainly through activism.
Protesting can be the most effective way to drive change – and it’s definitely more visible than making submissions or presenting to select committees.
The changing climate is his generation’s Vietnam War protest movement or nuclear-free moment, he says.
“This is our time to shine, but it’s not something that can be fixed with a few hours of diplomacy or money thrown at it. It’s an ongoing issue that we need to adapt to.”
The recurring theme with many natural disasters is that they are more frequent, more intense, and the global nature can be overwhelming and can push people towards denial, often out of fear, he says.
Liam is chair of the Invercargill City Council Youth Council, Chairs the council’s Creative Communities Committee, and made submissions on three southern council’s Long-term Plan consultations this year, including Environment Southland’s.
“I made the submissions because I want young people to have the opportunities that I didn’t have, to make it easier to get into politics. A system that one day our current young people will have to negotiate.”
Finding ways for youth to be more involved in governance, with more focused engagement opportunities for young people were important.
He sees an opportunity for more youth engagement at Environment Southland, as the council serves the whole region, so further diversifying the voices heard would be invaluable.
Thanks in part to people like Liam taking the time to make submissions, Environment Southland has committed to looking into an additional youth mechanism as part of its 2024-34 Long-term Plan.
The council already co-ordinates the Enviroschools programme, a whole school approach to environmental education, where students plan, design and take action to create a sustainable world.
Of Ngāi Tahu, Scottish and Irish descent, Liam plans to study politics at the University of Otago next year, but he’s got more to his CV than a passion for politics, including a love of riding and fixing motorbikes, and deer hunting in the Hokonui Hills with his dad.
Arguably his most significant political position to date is as a member of Rito o te Pāremata – a group of young people that advise the Office of the Clerk and the Parliamentary Service on how to engage with youth in Aotearoa.
“We work on how to make Parliament more accessible to young people, because it is daunting for young people and is often seen as out of reach,” Liam says.
The average age of ministers in the current New Zealand Parliament is 49. It’s also made him realise how much goes on behind the scenes in the political arena, and while he hopes to carry on political advisory work in Wellington, that doesn’t necessarily mean he will end up as a politician.
“In every company there’s a governance structure, so there’s a little bit of politics everywhere.”
The interest in politics was a natural progression from his interest in theatre and drama, which was “how I let out my steam”.
He performed in theatre productions for many years and has taught drama for the past three years.
He was transfixed by a photo of the Beehive on an office wall a few years ago, and thought it would be really cool to have an office there – something he’s achieved through his Rito o te Pāremata work.
Coincidentally, his workspace is next to the Beehive Theatrette where prime ministers deliver post-cabinet briefings and other media conferences.
Liam smiles ruefully when recalling, saying he wanted to be mayor of Invercargill in a previous interview.
“I love Invercargill and always will, so any way I can serve the south I will.”
He says he really enjoyed speaking to Environment Southland and the other councils during submission processes and encourages other young people to do the same – by doing so the council can sculpt the region for them and their future.
And does he have any advice for elected representatives?
“Listen to the people, the people know their land best and they elected you, bring your knowledge too, and through communication and a little bit of democracy, Southland will continue to thrive.”
