Youth MP first Day Article

By Madeleine Farman

Entering Parliament can be a daunting experience for the most experienced Members of Parliament. Subtract their experience to a four-hour introduction seminar and a keen interest in high school leadership and political roles, and you’ll have the work experience of 121 Youth Parliamentarians. The nerves and excitement were clear from the outset when they began their two-day experience this morning.

Youth Parliament is now in session. Held across the 16th and 17th of July this year and once every parliamentary term, the opportunity gives young New Zealanders the opportunity to represent Members of Parliament in a mock up that is as close to the real thing as possible.

It seems the Youth Parliamentarians didn’t really know what to expect. Angela Curtis and Cameron Webster seemed delighted when they were requested for an interview that took the pair away from a pro-life/pro-choice debate.

The pair mused that they were looking forward to making changes within their community. Looking beyond the political aspects of the two-day experience, Angel and Cameron’s hopes were more ideological. Although Angela is representing Nikki Kaye for National, and Cameron is representing David Cunliffe for Labour, the opposing members established that they held “pretty much the same political views at the moment.”

Sixteen-Year-Old Gursharn Kaur, representing Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi had a similar reaction, “I found it hard enough to do the reading, I was still doing my school assignments yesterday afternoon, I really didn’t have a strong interest in politic before this.”

When Governor General, Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae introduced the Youth Parliamentarians to the chamber following these brief introductions, he picked up on the Youth Parliamentarian’s timidity to the political process. When preparing the high school students for debate he assured them that many Youth Parliamentarians held the same values perspectives, and no one should shy away from debate during their time in Wellington.

Maori Party Co-Leader Te Ururoa Flavell says he hopes the Youth Parliamentarians don’t launch into their own political careers. The veteran MP believes it is important that young people experience the world before considering a career in politics. “They can’t claim they represent the views of their community and New Zealand as a whole if they haven’t had experience.”

Youth Parliament 2013 is a forum for ideological debate. The 121 Members have been chosen by the MPs the represent because they a have a drive to make their communities a better place. Far from the conflict of personal opinion and political divisions, Youth Parliamentarians are working together to explore different issues facing New Zealanders in order to shape their communities with the emerging youth voice.

ENDS

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