New Zealand Youth Parliament

The New Zealand Youth Parliament is a national event in New Zealand, held once in each term of parliament (usually every three or four years). The event is used to promote the civic and community engagement of New Zealand youth.[1] The event has been held since 1994, and takes place at the New Zealand Parliament Buildings.[2] The latest Youth Parliament, the 7th Youth Parliament, took place on the 16th and 17 July 2013.

Youth Parliament is an initiative led by the Minister of Youth Affairs, currently the Hon Nikki Kaye. The Minister works with a committee of her Parliamentary colleagues (representing every party in Parliament) to administer Youth Parliament.

The Minister receives support from the Ministry of Youth Development, who work closely with other agencies within the parliamentary complex including The Office of the Speaker, Parliamentary Services and the Office of the Clerk of the New Zealand House of Representatives.

Former Labour MP Darren Hughes, who once held the Statistics portfolio and was the associate minister for Social Development and Employment, was a Youth MP at the first ever Youth Parliament in 1994.[3][4]

History

The New Zealand Youth Parliament was first held in 1994, being held to mark the 20th anniversary of the voting age being lowered to 18.[2] The event was shorter than it is now, with young people coming to Parliament for an educational day. Due to the success of the event, Cabinet invited the Minister of Youth Affairs to continue holding the event every three or four years. Since then, the event has been held in 2013, 2010,[5] 2007,[6] 2004,[7] 2000,[8] and 1997.[9]

Event

The Youth Parliament takes place over two days, and is designed to be as similar to the actual running of Parliament as possible. The event is typically opened by the Governor General of New Zealand.[9] The website of the Ministry of Youth Development says that Youth Parliament "is an opportunity for young New Zealanders to influence government decision-making as active citizens and have their views heard by key decision-makers and the public."[2]

Throughout the event Youth MPs take part in a variety of parliamentary activities. A mock bill is established and focused on, usually targeting an issue relating to youth or that youth can be involved in.[8] Youth MPs work on various select committees and consider submissions, ask questions of Cabinet Ministers, participate in debates, come together in caucus sessions and experience various other aspects of Parliament.[10] Youth MPs have an opportunity to meet actual Member's of Parliament. Members of the Public can also watch mock debates in the debating chamber, as they would with a normal parliamentary debate.

As well as the Youth MPs, 20 youth press gallery members are chosen by the Parliamentary Press Gallery, and report on the event and running of parliament, similar to the actual press gallery.

The New Zealand Business and Parliament Trust runs a competition open to all Youth MPs and Youth Press Gallery members, which asks entrants to discuss the experience and what they have learned and taken back to their community.[3] In 2007 this was an essay, and in 2010 entrants created a video.[5] Prizes totaling several thousands of dollars are available to the winners.

Select Committees

During the event Youth MPs work on Parliamentary Select Committees. Each committee views and discusses submissions, and reviews related legislation. Each committee relates to a different subject. As of 2013, there were 10 Youth Parliament Select Committees.[2] These are:

Selection and Role

Young people, aged 16 – 18 years, from around New Zealand are chosen by their local (electorate or list) Member of Parliament (MP) to be a Youth Member of Parliament (Youth MP). There is no set process for an MP to select their Youth MP.[11] During Youth Parliament, Youth MPs have the opportunity to debate legislation, sit on select committees and ask parliamentary questions of Cabinet Ministers. Youth MP's are independent, as opposed to belonging to a Parliamentary party.[12]

Around the Youth Parliament event, Youth MPs remain in the role for a period of time, and are expected to gain an understanding of the ideas and concerns of youth in the area.[13] In 2013 this was from the 1 May to the 1 December, with the event being held in July, and during this time period the Youth MPs had the opportunity to work with their local communities and local MP.[12]

Organization

The organization of Youth Parliament is overseen by the Multi-Party Parliamentary Steering Committee.[14] A representative from each party represented in Parliament is invited to join the committee. The aim is to ensure non-partisan organisation of Youth Parliament as well as active participation by all parties, to ensure that the event is successful. The Ministry of Youth Development also works on organizing and promoting the event., with the Minister of Youth Development being responsible for the event overall.

7th Youth Parliament (2013)

The 7th Youth Parliament was held on the 16th and 17 July 2013. The mock bill topic was Electoral Reform, with discussions about reducing the voting age, introducing electronic voting, making voting compulsory and extending the Term of Parliament taking place.[2]

Youth MPs 2013

List means the individual is representing a List MP, while Electorate indicates they are representing an Electorate MP.

6th Youth Parliament (2010)

The 6th Youth Parliament took place on the 6th and 7 July 2010. The mock bill focused on creating a single age of majority, that would make a single age for different activities to become lawful, such as drinking, driving and voting ages.[5]

Youth MPs 2010

List means the individual is representing a List MP, while Electorate indicates they are representing an Electorate MP.

5th Youth Parliament (2007)

The 5th Youth Parliament took place from the 8th to the 11th of July 2007. This was an extended period of days compared to previous years, as a trial to fit in more events and discussion.[6] After 2007 Youth Parliament reverted to a two-day event.

Youth MPs 2007

List means the individual is representing a List MP, while Electorate indicates they are representing an Electorate MP.

References

  1. ↑ "Ministers feel the heat during Youth Parliament question time". One News. 17 July 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Youth Parliament". Ministry of Youth Development. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Speaker’s Reception, Youth Parliament 2007". New Zealand Parliament. 9 July 2007. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  4. ↑ "Opening of the 2007 Youth Parliament". The Pulse. July 2007. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 "Youth Parliament 2010". Ministry of Youth Development. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  6. 1 2 http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA0707/"Introduction to Youth Parliament 2007". Scoop. 7 July 2007. Retrieved 15 January 2015.S00127.htm
  7. ↑ http://www.hansard.parliament.govt.nz/hansard/Final/YOUTH_PARLIAMENT_2004_DAY_1.htm
  8. 1 2 http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/youth+parliament+debate+decriminalisation
  9. 1 2 http://www.gg.govt.nz/node/475
  10. ↑ "Youth Parliament 2013 on this week". 15 July 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  11. ↑ http://www.myd.govt.nz/have-your-say/youth-parliament/how-you-can-become-a-youth-member-of-parliament.html
  12. 1 2 "Youth Parliament MPs announced". 16 May 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  13. ↑ "Selection Process underway for Youth Parliament 2013". 11 February 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  14. 1 2 "New Zealand Youth Parliament 2013 Hansard" (PDF). 17 July 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
  15. ↑ "New Zealand Youth Parliament 2010 Hansard" (PDF). 7 July 2010. Retrieved 16 January 2015.

External links

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