New Zealand is a country which prides itself on its diversity, and the problems it faces require an “intergenerational response”, says 18-year-old Ethan Reille. (4-min read)

“We’re in a position now, where we have the possibility to be leading the world on a lot of global issues - but it can’t just be left up to one generation.”

Last year’s Waitaki Boys’ High School head boy was last week named Labour candidate for the Waitaki electorate in October’s general election. He turns 19 in July, and If elected, will be the youngest member of parliament ever.

“I always knew my age would be an eyebrow-raising topic. I was prepared for that, and so I’m not surprised at the level of commentary discussing my age,” Ethan says.

“I know I’ll have to work incredibly hard to gain voters’ trust, and I’m absolutely committed to going the extra mile, but I hope by the time October 14 rolls around, Waitakians can make an informed decision - not based on any of our ages, but based on our dedication to building a stronger Waitaki.”

Ethan’s age has been a hot topic on local social media, but he was far from discouraged after reading comments.

“The feeling I took away . . . was the overwhelming sense of support I’ve got. I think that’s what every candidate needs going into an election to get them started off right - no candidate deserves to be discouraged from the get-go.

“Base your criticism off fact, and base it off of, you know, what they’re selling in the campaign, don’t base it off . . . what they can’t change about themselves.”

He acknowledges social media is a great campaigning tool, but it can also be a dangerous platform, and his approach is “more about getting out there in person”.

“Cos, I think that that’s what voters want to see, is the commitment I’ve got to them as people.”

Ethan moved to Ōamaru from Wellington in 2017. He had struggled with a feeling of “disconnect” and a lack of community in the capital.

“I didn’t know where I fitted in as a young person, and I didn’t know where I should fit in. Society has a way of telling people what they should and shouldn’t do, and to me it just didn’t feel right, it just didn’t fit with me.”

His mother and grandparents had grown up in Ōamaru, and he said it quickly felt like home.

“Moving down here gave me the opportunity to connect with the community, connect with people that understood who I was as a young person, and with that came a sense of belonging. And whilst I may not have been born and bred here, I do actually feel like a local, and I feel like this is my home and always will be.” 

He had always been curious from a young age, and always asked lots of questions, he said.

“To the point where my parents got pretty sick of me.”

He thinks it helped him to be empathetic, always curious and to always question everything, especially when he felt something wasn’t right.

Being chosen as Waitaki’s Labour candidate was a month-long process, and involved the New Zealand Council - the governing body of the Labour Party - being confident enough to put him forward, and then local Labour Party members being willing to endorse him.

To get that support was “an incredible milestone for any young person”, he said.

“I’d like to think that by the end of this, no matter the result, just me being me will show that young people can lead, they can represent their community and provided they’ve got good backing, and good knowledge of their community and a good amount of passion for their community, they can absolutely do it.”

Ethan speaking at a Blake Leadership course he took part in last year. PHOTO: Supplied

Ethan is not one to shy away from hard work. He has had paid jobs since he was 14, and for the past two years has worked in Community Development support at the Waitaki District Council.

“My family was never wealthy. I was taught at a young age that if I wanted the ‘wants’ then I’d have to work hard to get them myself - and so I did. I worked incredibly hard, which in turn gave me my sense of independence.”

As the youngest council employee in the country, Ethan has learned a lot, which has helped equip him to understand what Waitaki needs to prosper and lead the country on so many issues, he said.

He is not perfect, and says no candidate should strive for that. 

“We’re not here to represent ‘perfect’, we’re here to represent the good and bad of our community - and I’ll do that with pride.

“For far too long Waitaki hasn’t been advocated enough for. I’m here to do that. To work together, in order to build a stronger Waitaki for everyone.”

Being head boy definitely helped Ethan’s confidence in public speaking, but it was something that was already in “his roots”.

“I look at my grandmother (Jennifer Rankin) who was a proud unionist in the health sector, and she’s still leading a lot of the campaigns to ensure that the healthcare system has paid equity,” he said.

“She’s protective, but incredibly proud, because she knows that I’ve always been passionate about politics.”

Despite still holding his position at the council, and working part-time at the penguin colony, election will be a full-time focus for Ethan, and this is where age works in his favour.

“I think I’m in a really fortunate position . . . where I still have that time, capacity and energy to make this into something full-time, and I like to think that voters will see that come through.”

Some of his goals are to secure more investment into local services, make sure all corners of the large electorate - from Palmerston, to Geraldine, and across to Wanaka - are represented, and to look into how he can help rural communities more.

“Right now rural is doing it tough.

“But you know, to distil it down . . . I know our community well, I’m knowledged on the issues facing our community, I’ve got the passion to back that. I know what our community needs and I’m willing to fight for that.”

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark will be in Ōamaru on April 30, to introduce Ethan to the public. The event is being held at the Ōamaru Opera House and will be hosted by Taieri Labour MP Ingrid Leary.

Ethan said having someone as high profile as Helen Clark endorse him was a testament to the trust all generations of the Labour Party were putting in him.

“With Helen here, it will show this is serious, this isn’t something to take lightly or as a joke. This is about doing the right thing for our community, and being a strong advocate for people.”