2022 New Zealand Youth Parliament

New_Zealand_Youth_Parliament_2016_20160720_Debating_Chamber_(358).jpg

Applications are now open for the Tenth Youth Parliament. Tenure is from March to August 2022 and the 2-day Wellington event will be held at Parliament on 19 and 20 July. 

Computer Mouse on Google Android 12.0 Scroll down for videos of last Youth Parliament in 2019.

The next Youth Parliament will occur in 2022, with Youth MPs participating in a tenure programme from 1 March to 31 August, including attending a two-day Youth Parliament event in Wellington on 19 and 20 July. The Youth Parliament programme gives young people the opportunity to understand and be a part of the Parliamentary process and to connect with their communities. It will be a significant opportunity for up to 120 young New Zealanders to gather the views of their peers and bring young people's voices to Parliament.

Applications close on 12 November. The MP for Bay of Plenty, Todd Muller, will announce the winner on the 16th of November. Please scroll down to apply or read further about the process here.

Objectives of Youth Parliament 

Youth Parliament provides young people an opportunity to participate in the Parliamentary process and encourages their on-going participation in decision making in a meaningful way. The programme will:

  • replicate the Parliamentary process
  • involve as many young people as possible (before and after the event)
  • maximise the educational opportunities of the event
  • enhance Parliamentary public relations
  • make known the views expressed to appropriate policy agencies.

Eligibility

To be considered for the role of Youth MP for Bay of Plenty you need to be:

  • 16 to 18 years of age (inclusive) on 12 November 2021
  • active (or aspiring to be active) in your community or region
  • interested in issues affecting young people, politics and/or social change
  • able to manage the time commitment of being a Youth MP from 1 March 2022 to 31 August 2022, including the Youth Parliament event on 19 - 20 July 2022 (candidates may undertake a community project during the tenure period, although this is not compulsory)
  • prepared to work within Youth Parliament 2022 protocols and behavioural expectations (including signing a Code of Conduct)
  • resident within the Bay of Plenty electorate boundary.

At Parliament

During the event, Youth MPs will experience all aspects of Parliament including:

  • Question time: Youth MPs will ask questions of Ministers
  • Select Committees: Youth MPs will break into subject select committees and their reports will be tabled in the House
  • General debate: Youth MPs can discuss issues they feel passionate about
  • Legislative process - debate and vote: Youth MPs will consider the Youth Parliament 2022 mock Bill and participate in a conscience vote
  • Parties: caucus sessions Youth MPs will be arranged into parties, to provide them a chance to discuss how conscience votes are made by caucuses

Use your voice and highlight issues that matter to you

  • Make a difference: Advocate for your community, and have an opportunity to influence the way MPs understand issues facing young people.
  • Form connections: Cross paths with people from different walks of life, and create lasting networks.
  • Broaden horizons: Build your leadership, public speaking, and engagement skills, and learn how to influence change at a national level.

This is an opportunity for young people from all walks of life to get involved and contribute their perspectives and experiences.

Will you enjoy it?

Samuel Taylor was the Bay of Plenty Youth MP in 2019. He did a great job representing our electorate and questioned the Minister of Transport about why SH2 upgrades were still not underway. Sam is currently studying at Harvard University in the USA and he is destined for great things in his future. Watch his summary of the experience here on Facebook.

Grahame Woods was Bay of Plenty Youth MP in 2016 and here he is describing how much he enjoyed the process here on Facebook. 

Film Frames on Google Android 12.0 Here are videos from 2019 showing Sam in Parliament's debating chamber:

In this video you can see Sam's address  in the General Debate at Parliament.

And this video is from Parliamentary Question time. Sam is asking the then Minister of Transport why we still don't have SH2 sorted to Omokoroa.

Application Process

Please submit a link by email to a video:

  • by Friday 12 November;
  • of yourself;
  • up to 3 minutes long;
  • explaining why you would like to be the Bay of Plenty Youth MP for 2022 and;
  • summarising your personal story, your reason for applying, what you hope to achieve at Youth Parliament and what your long-term political aspirations may be. 
  • We recommend Youtube but other platforms (except for Tiktok) will be acceptable. 
A decision by the MP For Bay of Plenty will be made on 16 November.
Please only submit an application to one Member of Parliament.

 

Other Youth Parliament Opportunities

In addition to the 120 Youth MPs, there are also 20 positions for Youth Press Gallery members, and one Youth Clerk role. Applications for these roles must be submitted via the Youth Parliament section of the New Zealand Parliament website.