Hastings District Council has voted in favour of allowing non-elected members of its Youth Council to vote in council decisions.

Youth Council members will be able to vote in council committees and sub-committees - and they'll also be paid.

The Council was divided on this move - but mayor Sandra Hazlehurst had the deciding vote and the issue was passed.

Youth Council chair Chris Proctor says this is a first in the nation's history.

"We want to bring a voice to the Council's table and we want to make sure that in areas like Flaxmere, where 50 percent of the population is under the age of 25 - we feel that's important."

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