Youth MPs and Press Gallery members gather to attend Youth Parliament 2019

“Youth Parliament is about providing an opportunity for young New Zealanders to deepen their understanding of politics and the democratic process. It’s about inspiring our next generation of politicians and political journalists,” Peeni Henare said.

120 Youth MPs and 20 Youth Press Gallery members have gathered in Wellington to attend the two-day Youth Parliament event which gets underway today, says Hon Peeni Henare, Minister for Youth and Chairperson of the Youth Parliament Multi-Party Steering Committee (MPSC).

"Youth Parliament is about providing an opportunity for young New Zealanders to deepen their understanding of politics and the democratic process. It's about inspiring our next generation of politicians and political journalists," Peeni Henare said.

"This year, we're celebrating an important anniversary as it's been 25 years since the first Youth Parliament. Following its success, Cabinet invited the Minister of Youth Affairs to hold a Youth Parliament every Parliamentary term. This is the ninth Youth Parliament, which is quite an achievement.

Over the next two days, Youth MPs will get to experience all aspects of Parliament by taking part in mock debates, attending caucus sessions, sitting on select committees, asking oral questions of Ministers, and engaging in legislative and general debates in the debating chamber. The Youth Press Gallery members are provided with a unique opportunity to stretch their journalistic talents while learning about the workings of Government from the perspective of the Press Gallery.

"It's as close as you can get to the real mechanisms of Parliament, so it's going to be a great experience and one that encourages our young leaders to have their voices heard.

For the first time, Youth MPs have submitted and decided on the topics they will be discussing in select committees, such as how awareness of Aotearoa's cultural history can be raised and what can be done to lower the rate of suicide in New Zealand. They also submitted options for the mock bill with the topic, Sustainable Energy, chosen during a live draw. In another first, Youth Parliament activities occurring in the debating chamber will be broadcast live to the public on Parliament TV.

"The two days of the Youth Parliament event are part of many months of Mahi for the Youth MPs and Press Gallery, who was appointed in late-2018. Since then, the Youth MPs have been engaging in kōrero with other rangatahi, designing and undertaking projects that are focused on issues most important to young people. Examples of these projects include a first-of-its-kind rangatahi symposium and a nationwide student climate change rally.

"Meanwhile, the Youth Press Gallery members have been reporting on the work done by their Youth MP peers. Hearing about the many and varied successful projects these young people have been involved with has me feeling very positive about the future of Aotearoa New Zealand, and I'm looking forward to spending time with them during Youth Parliament 2019."

"I'd like to acknowledge the work done by the Multi-Party Steering Committee to support Youth Parliament. It involves a huge amount of preparation and cooperation across political parties. This reflects its importance and the role it plays in building an understanding of our political system and providing a platform for our young leaders," Peeni Henare said.

To keep up to date with all that's happening over the two-day Youth Parliament 2019 event, follow @NZYP19 on Twitter, use #NZYouthParliament, and check out the Ministry of Youth Development Facebook page.

(With Inputs from New Zealand Government Press Release)