(Picture caption: Youth Parliament provides the chance for young people to experience the parliamentary process and learn how government works.)
Young people from across Aotearoa New Zealand have taken centre stage in the capital as Youth Members of Parliament (MPs), Youth Press Gallery members, and the Youth Clerk at a two-day Youth Parliament event in Wellington.
Youth Parliament provides an opportunity for 139 young people, including Pacific representatives, from across Aotearoa New Zealand to experience the parliamentary process and learn how government works.
Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Rt Hon Trevor Mallard says since the programme began in March, Youth Parliament participants have been actively working in communities around Aotearoa New Zealand on topics and issues they are passionate about.
“Youth MPs have been learning about parliamentary processes and focusing on issues that are important to young people.
“Meanwhile, members of the Youth Press Gallery have been reporting on this work, and our very first Youth Clerk has been discovering the inner workings of parliamentary procedure.”
Minister for Youth Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan says Youth Parliament is an unforgettable experience for the participants.
“Youth MPs have taken part in mock debates, attended caucus sessions, sat on select committees, and asked oral questions of Ministers.
“Our Youth Clerk supported sessions in the House, and the Youth Press Gallery members continued to hone their journalistic talents, while learning about the workings of government from the perspective of the Press Gallery.”
The youth voice at the table needs to be normalised and encouraged, Minister Radhakrishnan adds.
“This event is one way to enable it.
“Our democracy is stronger when young people are involved and heard on the issues they care about, to shape the future of Aotearoa.”
Now Youth Parliament has concluded, the participants have six weeks to continue working in their communities and finish projects before the 2022 tenure comes to an end.
“Our Parliament, and Youth Parliament, must be representative of the varied communities across Aotearoa and it has been heartening to hear the unique views, issues, and experiences of our diverse group of young people representing different communities,” Minister Radhakrishnan says.