Yadana Saw

Pōneke Wellington - Greater Wellington Regional Council

 

My Story

Kia ora! Mingalabar!

I’m ready to serve our region having grown my passion, experience and empathy to make our region a climate resilient, nature-rich, safe and thriving place to live, work and play.

You may know my voice from my days of producing and presenting music stories on the radio, but there’s a bit more to me than broadcasting.

I’m proudly Burmese. My whānau came to Aotearoa in 1976 and I was born in Newtown. I was then raised in Tai Tokerau, but for the majority of my years Wellington is home. The environment, the attitude, the possibilities and the people being the greatest treasures of our rohe. 

I have always been politically active and motivated by issues of social justice and climate action. Growing up, my elders instilled the value and importance of serving our community; and it was the least we could do as tauiwi to support the aspirations of tangata whenua.

As a WCC youth councillor I was part of a collective that established youth health service Evolve, pushed for after-midnight buses, and campaigned for a youth radio network. I have served on numerous Wellington City Council committees, Victoria University boards and advisory panels. I also assisted in the establishment of the Whanganui District Youth Council.

I ran for Wellington City Council in 2001 as a young person passionate about youth voice and representation, climate action and social justice.

Working in youth development throughout the mid-2000s taught me how to effectively build community participation and engagement. It is now a skillset I have put to use in many projects and roles I have since held. I have also worked in the non-profit sector and in our local film, media and tech industry. Currently I serve on the Newtown School Board and Radio Active Charitable Trust.

Through all my roles I have gained a deep understanding of strategic planning, regulatory compliance, financial management, and the importance of working together. In my spare time I listen to a lot of music, raise my two children and love kicking a football or passing a rugby ball around.

 

Vision

Our region needs urgent action around climate, transport and resiliency.

Good decisions today make great sense for tomorrow.

 I’m committed to: 

Accelerate and deliver on GWRC’s work to make our region resilient to the effects of climate change.

  • Reduce our carbon emissions with better active transport solutions - more walking and cycling, redesign Saturday sport commutes, better public transport - like light rail!

  • Free public transport - make it work for passengers, drivers and our planet

  • Restore and protect our underground rivers and streams. Our region’s extensive network of waterways need our help. Their health is vital to the wellbeing of our environment and us.

  • Promote and encourage economic activity that cares for our land, air and water

  • Work alongside mana whenua and ensure GWRC is upholding its commitment to Te Tiriti