21 July 2015

New Zealand parliamentarians undertake political exchange to the United States

Young New Zealand parliamentarians will learn about the American political system this week during a nine day United States exchange programme coordinated and sponsored by the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL), the Speaker, Rt Hon David Carter, announced today.

The New Zealand delegation comprises Jami-Lee Ross MP and Sarah Dowie MP from the National Party, Kris Faafoi MP and Peeni Henare MP from the Labour Party and Ria Bond MP from the NZ First Party.

The Political Exchange sees each country send a delegation of young politicians and officials on a rotational basis, alternating countries every two years. Participants must be aged between 25 and 40, and are selected by their Parties based on their current roles and potential for future achievement. An ACYPL Group last visited the New Zealand Parliament in 2013.

The Speaker said the exchange experience aims to strengthen each participant’s political and public policy knowledge and provide a platform for understanding the American political system.

“This exchange is an important opportunity for our younger New Zealand politicians to gain an understanding of democratic processes at both the federal and state levels in the United States, which are very different from our own” he said. “Given that the United States is a long-time ally and regional partner of New Zealand, this exchange is also an important opportunity to strengthen our wider bilateral relationship.”

The delegation will spend the first four and half days in Washington. There they will receive briefings on the US political landscape and 2016 presidential elections, the State Department’s East Asia and Pacific initiatives, the role of political committees and the US judicial system. The delegation will also meet with representatives of the Friends of New Zealand Congressional Caucus and the US - NZ Council.

They will then travel to Cheyenne, Wyoming where they will meet with the Secretary of State and Treasurer of Wyoming, visit the Legislature and Supreme Court, meet with Native American tribal leaders, and attend events being held in conjunction with the annual Frontier Days festival.

The exchange runs from 18 - 27 July 2015.

ENDS

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