The country’s youngest Youth MP has dedicated his
selection to his grandfather, who came from Sāmoa with his
grandmother to build their future in Māngere.
Marques
Tominiko, 15, says the South Auckland suburb is incredibly
special to him.
“This is the land of opportunity. For
me and my family, Māngere was the land of milk and
honey.”
Marques is the youngest student to be
selected for Youth Parliament, a nationwide development
opportunity for those aged 16-18 to experience the political
process and represent their communities.
It’s a
full-circle moment for the De La Salle College student, who
aspires to pursue politics in the future.
“I’m just
feeling immensely proud of this achievement. I feel ready to
serve my community.”
The young Sāmoan and proud
Māngere resident, who will be 16 in time for Youth
Parliament, acknowledges that the opportunity will take him
to Wellington in July, but says he’s also interested in
local politics.
“It’s through local politics that
things get done locally … there’s so much red tape and so
many levels to go through in national politics.”
He
also acknowledged MP Lemauga Lydia Sosene, who previously
worked in local politics and is the former local board chair
for Māngere-Ōtāhuhu.
“I just feel like this is
just the first step, and this is the first achievement of
many,” he says.
Marques had to compete against other
local students who share a strong connection to Māngere and
wanted to become a youth MP.
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“It shows the amount of
talent and the gifts that our Māngere youth have. And it’s
time for our Māngere youth to rise and be
heard.”
He acknowledges that while only five
candidates vied for the Youth MP role, thousands of young
people in Māngere share the same talents.
In his
speech, Marques advocated for education and highlighted the
NCEA pass rates of schools in Māngere, focusing on
improving them.
He also wants to improve student
retention rates.
“Education is what made us succeed
here in Māngere. So I intend to achieve more for the
education of our young people in Māngere.”
While
Marques acknowledged he lacked the formal leadership titles
of other candidates, he says his passion for Māngere sets
him apart.
“I’m not a head boy or in a committee,
but I’ve lived here all my life. I’ll bring my all— my
blood, sweat, and tears — to this role.”
Youth MPs
participate in Youth Parliament as representatives of
themselves and their community, and it’s for them to gain
experience, Lemauga says.
“Our tupulaga are
encouraged to speak on issues important to them, their
families, and their communities.”
Marques’ mother,
Margaret Tominiko, said his interest in politics started at
a young age through discussions with his
grandfather.
“I just wish his grandfather was here
to see this. He’d be so proud.”
His father, Vaotui
Seulupe Falaniko Tominiko II, added that Marques has always
had a deep interest in politics, particularly Sāmoan
governance.
Manukau Ward Councillor Alf Filipaina, who
chaired the selection panel, said Marques’ strong research
and speech delivery made an impact.
“The competition
was so close we had to recount the judges’ marks. I can’t
speak for the other judges, but for me, it was the content
of his statistics, the way he spoke. And I believe the
research and the content of it.”
Filipaina believes
the talent of the youth candidates and Marques’s selection
signals a bright future for Māngere’s young leaders.
“Our community is in good hands.”
With his
selection, Marques hopes to inspire other young people to
step forward, engage in politics, and be a voice for their
community.
“Māngere has given me so much, and now
it’s my turn to return the favour.”
The Youth MP
will work alongside Lemauga from April 28 to August 29,
2025, with the support of their parents and school leaders.
They will travel to Parliament in Wellington on July 1-2,
2025.
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and NZ On
Air.
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