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Cohen Ace | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Ace in 2025 | |
| Youth Member of Parliament for Whangārei | |
| In office 28 April 2025 – 29 August 2025 | |
| Chairperson of the Whangārei Youth Advisory Group | |
| In office 24 January 2024 – Present | |
| Student Representative to the Whangārei Boys' High School Board of Trustees | |
| In office 3 October 2023 – 3 October 2024 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cohen Christopher Findlater Ace 11 February 2009 Whangārei, New Zealand |
| Party | National Party |
Cohen Ace (born 11 February 2009) is a New Zealand youth advocate and regional civic leader based in Whangārei, Northland. He gained early prominence within regional governance as a student trustee and was subsequently selected to serve as a Youth Member of Parliament in 2025.
Education and school governance
editAce attended Whangārei Boys' High School (WBHS). While enrolled, he was democratically elected as the youngest-ever Student Representative to sit on the Whangārei Boys' High School Board of Trustees, serving a full one-year term from 3 October 2023 to 3 October 2024. During his tenure on the board, he actively served across several core governance panels and committees, including:
- Finance and Capital Expenditure Committee: Reviewing school operational funding allocations, campus infrastructure developments, and structural budget oversight.
- Disciplinary and Policy Review Panels: Managing internal board policy updates and student advocacy framework reviews.
To accommodate his expanding public duties, media appearances, and regional commitments, Ace later transitioned his secondary studies to Te Kura (The Correspondence School).
Local government leadership
editWhangārei Youth Advisory Group
editAce has served as the Chairperson of the Whangārei Youth Advisory Group since his appointment on 24 January 2024. The regional civic body is structured to advise the Whangārei District Council on youth engagement, infrastructure, and community development programs. As Chair, his platform pushes primarily for:
- Youth Employment Pipelines: Advocating for structural local council initiatives that connect schools, local businesses, and regional iwi to expand industrial apprenticeships for young people.
- Inclusive Public Spaces: Developing safe, accessible infrastructure for local youth, including municipal public safety schemes and expanded recreational options.
- Crime Prevention via Engagement: Pushing for community sports and employment funding as a direct path to reducing local juvenile street crime.
National politics and advocacy
editYouth Parliament 2025
editIn April 2025, Whangārei Member of Parliament and National Party Minister Shane Reti selected Ace to serve as the official Youth MP representing the Whangārei electorate in the 11th New Zealand Youth Parliament.
Within the Youth Parliament framework, Ace was appointed to active working groups and mock select committees, contributing to national legislative simulations. His involvement includes:
- Social Services and Community Working Group: Reviewing mock legislation and policy proposals concerning regional social resource allocation, youth welfare, and community support systems, which he also chaired during active sessions.
- Voting Age Debate: Participating in national media panel debates, notably appearing on broadcast segments for Three News discussing the "Make It 16" campaign, balancing regional youth feedback with the National Party's traditional policy platforms.
Public messaging
editIn public reflections shared to social media platforms, including his official Instagram announcements (@cohen_ace26), Ace highlighted his foundational approach to public life, stating that he has long held a "strong passion for advocating for his peers and fighting for what I believe to be right." He emphasized utilizing his background in democratically elected office to ensure regional Northland rangatahi (youth) have their voices elevated directly to national policy-makers in Wellington.