Lincoln University environment student Jazmynn Hodder-Swain will play a key role in the transformation of the Christchurch red zone after being chosen as the youth representative of a new group that includes community board and iwi representation.
Jazmynn, who’s in her third year of a Bachelor of Environmental Policy and Planning (Hons), was selected as one of five community members to join the Red Zones Transformative Land Use Group/Te Tira Kāhikuhiku.
The group will offer advice to the Christchurch City Council and Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) on activities to transform the city’s red zone land in Brooklands, the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor, South Shore/South New Brighton and the Port Hills.
The group’s name, Te Tira Kāhikuhiku, is a reflection of the potential for new growth in the red zones, building on the regeneration work already done. Tira refers to a mast or main tree trunk, and Kāhikuhiku is the upper stem where new growth emerges.
Jazmynn lives in Brooklands and is also a member of the Environment Canterbury Youth Ropu, as well as serving as an executive member of Lincoln’s LGBTQ+ support group, SPACE.
She says she’s excited to be providing a youth perspective to the group to ensure that young people are heard as key stakeholders in transformative land use.
“I’m looking forward to contributing to decisions that support the short-term future of appropriate land use in Christchurch’s red zones.
“I hope to see an array of transitional activities that connect with neighbouring communities. Much of the 600ha of the red zone is set aside for ecological restoration and stormwater treatment but there’s plenty of space for recreational activities, such as community gardens, markets, and festivals.”
Jazmynn chose her area of study at Lincoln due to her interest in the high-level decision-making processes surrounding resource use, and how they impact the New Zealand population.
“I am particularly interested in the problem-solving side of things, such as how we plan for future generations and accommodate the diverse needs of our current population, whilst minimising the negative impacts we have on the land and marine environments.”
After graduating, she hopes to work as an urban or regional planner and collaborate with others to “champion the wellbeing of our land and marine environments, alongside the needs of current and future generations.”
Jazmynn is described on the Christchurch City Council website as having “a strong sense of place and a passion for the wellbeing of her community and environment – which features a lot of red-zoned area”.