Aotearoa’s youngest local body councillor is three months into the job, with one finger on his chamber mic button and the other hand skimming a textbook.
Fabio Rodrigues, one of Waikato District’s newest councillors, was impatient to make a difference and didn’t wait to finish his political science and law degree to do it.
Still taking Te Huia up to the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) several times a week, he spends his other waking moments working on tightening costs for ratepayers and creating a voice for young people in local government.
“Even as a teen, I became tired of what I saw as corruption coming from the government,” Rodrigues says.
“I kept thinking I really wanted to be part of the action and help to change things for the better.”
Sworn in last year at 19 years old, Rodrigues has only recently turned 20. The first few months have been a whirlwind and a lot of hard work, he says, but also frustratingly slow at times.
“I’m really finding it surprising how slowly things move and happen.
“I think there is an element of a systemic issue in how our councils are run, but I also feel that councils could be doing more tightening and streamlining internally.”
However, he feels proud of his work, especially on IAWAI, the council-controlled organisation formed by Hamilton City Council and Waikato District Council to manage water services.
Mostly, he is glad to be where he is, on his way to his ultimate dream of becoming Prime Minister. But it wasn’t an easy road to his new position on council.
Rodrigues originally ran for mayor and local councillor, enthusiastic to make a splash in any way he could. But after careful consideration, he dropped out of the mayoral race to instead endorse Mayor Aksel Bech.
It was after that decision, he says, that the campaign became more challenging.
Rodrigues says the campaign period included a number of difficult moments, including an incident in which he says he was physically assaulted, as well as rumours questioning his conduct that were reported to police.
“I still don’t know who was behind that,” Rodrigues says.
“The headbutting thing… well, I didn’t expect that to affect me as much as it did. I have thought about it a lot and I believe it may have been racially motivated.”
Rodrigues says that, as a Black South African, he is no stranger to racism and feels able to recognise it when it occurs.
“But I want to clarify – I don’t think it’s a New Zealand problem. Kiwis who are from here have always been very kind to me. I think it’s more attitudes and beliefs that have come from overseas.”
His family settled in Pōkeno when he was just eight years old, building their house and new lives from scratch.
Childhood in Pōkeno was “incomparable” to life in South Africa, he says.
“I don’t think I ever realised just how tight-knit New Zealand small towns are.
“I used to ride my little bike to school every day, and I just got so many waves and ‘hellos’ because everyone knew me and my family. Everyone knew everyone.
The move to Pōkeno aligned with John Key’s tour around New Zealand schools in 2016.
Rodrigues was able to shake the former Prime Minister’s hand, who in turn gave him a message: anyone, from anywhere, could succeed in New Zealand with hard work and determination.
“I want that for our district. I want to restore our district’s promise.”
As for Mayor Aksel Bech, he should enjoy his seat for now; Rodrigues has confirmed he will be running against him in 2028.
“And I’ve told him as much!”
by Sarah Morcom
