Youth council member learning to push the boundaries

Lucas MacManus recently completed the Outward Bound course, a challenging outdoor education programme that challenges the mind and body in the middle of the New Zealand winter, and says he relished the opportunity.

The 17-year-old was encouraged to apply for the course as a member of the Selwyn Youth Council and took up the challenge as another opportunity to try new things.

“I think it was the best and worst thing I have ever done,” laughs MacManus.

“Worst moment? Being stuck on a boat together after two days hiking, with everyone smelly and grumpy, and with no wind, so we had to row all the way back for six hours. That did test the patience of the some in the group,” says the Rolleston College Year 12 student.

“But despite that it was a fantastic experience, and I can recommend it to other people.”

MacManus joined the Selwyn Youth Council in response to an online advert as he deemed it “fun to get my voice heard and help get other voices heard that are similar to me”.

MacManus explains that the council meets twice a month to discuss upcoming events and youth issues that need to be taken to the Selwyn District Council.

“We act as a point in between the broader youth and the district council,” says MacManus who is interested in global affairs and technology.

With that background he jumped at the chance to help develop the Super Mayor video game to get young people more interested in local politics.

“The goal of the game was to create a source for civic education, not just youth but also the wider public around Selwyn and the broader country,” says MacManus who spent most of last year working with the developer testing the game to iron out any issues.

MacManus says the lack of engagement with Local Government is “quite a big problem”, and the feedback in schools and for his peers so far has told him that the game is helping to give young people better understanding of local politics and why they should get involved.

MacManus has also been the driving force behind the Youth Council mascot Kiki the Kea, to help promote its events around the district.

“It was my responsibility to find a person who could make it and get the project commissioned,” says MacManus who, for his troubles, has also become the designated person to wear the suit at Youth Council events.

“It can get quite hot when you are inside the suit, but fortunately we haven’t had any events on really hot days in the middle of summer,” says MacManus who loves living in the district.

“We moved here from Christchurch, and I really love how everything you need is a lot closer in Selwyn and that it’s not as busy as the city. I also think there is a lot more community spirit here that I didn’t really see in our old neighbourhood.”

Like many youngsters, MacManus still heads into the city for some entertainment, but overall feels that he is not missing out on anything in Rolleston.

“Compared to where we lived before, there is a lot more to do here for young people. I know that some young people want to see more things in Selwyn, but there are a lot of things for young people here and I don’t feel I am really missing out on anything here.”

Aside from representing the youth of Selwyn, MacManus has also demonstrated the confidence to negotiate a pay-rise at his part-time role at the Hornby Working Men’s club, where he has been working in the kitchen for over two years.

“That was quite scary as a young person to talk to the boss about money, but I was really grateful they really treated me as an adult.”

He smiles when asked if he may consider a career in politics or as a union representative but says that his main interest is still in technology.

“I’m not sure where I will be exactly in a few years, but currently I am looking at going into IT. I really enjoy it because it is constantly evolving and there is just never anything boring or old and there is always something new,” says MacManus who has not completely written off a career on the Selwyn District Council or national politics.

“I am quite interested in politics, so it could definitely be something I could look into in the future.”

Last modified: 02 Oct 2025 2:34pm