Every three years, the Ministry of Youth Development organises Youth Parliament, a two-day event where young people, aged 16-18 years, take their places in the Beehive as Youth MPs. At Youth Parliament, they have a unique opportunity to influence government thinking and decision-making through speeches and debates, questions posed to Ministers, and proposed solutions to current issues. A youth press gallery also takes part, with hopeful young journalists quizzing the Youth MPs and reporting on their proposals.
The event in Wellington is just one component of a four-month programme where Youth MPs get involved with their local MP in their electorate, learning about the day-to-day tasks and challenges they face, the work done by electorate staff, and the concerns of their constituents. They also meet and collaborate with their working groups over this period to create the proposals they will present in Parliament.
Let’s meet two of our local Youth MPs who recently represented their electorates in Wellington.
Chelsea Brown – working with Hon. Simon Watts, MP for North Shore
Chelsea was already an active leader before she decided to become a Youth MP. A Year 13 student, she is one of two head girls at Carmel College, with the responsibilities and workload that go with that role. She’s also a top student, has been involved in debating for many years, plays netball and hockey, coaches year seven netball and performs service hours as part of the Carmel College programme. And then she decided to become a Youth MP!
As a year nine student, Chelsea was fascinated with the impact a leader could have in her school community, as she saw head girls act as role models to younger students and play a part in school decision-making. The wider world of politics was already of interest to her; Chelsea credits her family for some of this, as it was a normal part of daily life at home to discuss current events, with everyone encouraged to put forward their views and where ideas could be debated positively.
When she was only 14, in 2021 Chelsea participated in the Yale Model Government programme run by Yale University. She had to stay up until 1am to participate in the online programme and then needed to wake up a few hours later to get ready for school. There was a lot to discover about the other countries represented and the many different ways their political systems are structured. That year, she also participated in local politics with the Raise Your Voice UN Youth event, where youth representatives engaged with Auckland Council.
Chelsea is particularly passionate about youth mental health. When she saw the Youth Parliament advertised, she immediately thought youth mental health was a topic she could bring up in the general debate – a great platform to raise some key issues she felt were not being addressed. She’d had some experiences with friends who had shown her weak points in the current system and the way young people are taught about mental health. Before going to Youth Parliament, Chelsea canvassed other young people for their thoughts and ideas and spoke with the co-chairs of Younite for their input. She wanted to represent more than just her own opinions.
Chelsea would go on to make a speech about preventative strategies for early intervention in youth mental health through workshops in high schools, as well as access to pathways to get support and advice for both yourself and the network of friends around you.
Chelsea says that Youth Parliament was an eye-opening experience. “It was fascinating to discover all the work that goes on behind the scenes, and it was affirming to meet a lot of other young people who also care deeply about politics and making a difference.”
They were a diverse bunch who represented a wide array of backgrounds and political positions. Although Youth Parliament intends to have non-partisan Youth MPs, some people are already members of political parties, and this can add to the rigorous debate.
Chelsea also had the opportunity to spend a day shadowing her electorate MP, Hon. Simon Watts, on a day that was full of meetings with local businesses and consultations around solar energy use. “It was wonderful that someone so busy, with ministerial responsibilities as well as electorate MP duties, would take the time to get me involved and help me learn so much about an MP’s work.”
Attending Youth Parliament and learning about an MP’s job in the electorate has made Chelsea even more keen to pursue politics as a career in the future. She likes the idea that it’s a career where you work with a huge variety of people and do a lot of problem-solving. There are also a lot of skills to learn – from understanding the backgrounds and concerns of your constituents, legislation and parliamentary processes, to considering how your proposals are going to be presented in the media.
Chelsea considers that she will be a better political candidate after having some more life experience and work experience, and is planning to pursue a qualification in law or business in the immediate future.
Lily Foster – working with Dan Bidois, MP for Northcote
Lily is another student leader, deputy head girl at Birkenhead College, with a long-term interest in politics. She is a keen debater, which has helped her become proficient at public speaking. Debating teaches you to listen carefully, formulate ideas quickly and then express those ideas persuasively. Key competencies for a career in politics!
But it is the passion behind the ideas that shows that Lily is more than just an accomplished speaker. She is passionate about betterment, about helping the most vulnerable in New Zealand and in the global community.
Lily also plays the violin and is a slam poet. Slam poetry, for those who haven’t encountered it before, is spoken word poetry designed to be performed in front of a live audience. If you watch some on YouTube, you will find it is incredibly visceral stuff! You can check out Lily’s slam poetry on 22 August, National Poetry Day, at Birkenhead Library, 6.30-7.30pm.
In addition to being deputy head girl, Lily is a student board representative. It was attending board meetings that gave Lily her first insight into how central government plays a critical role, even in the school community around her. The experience of board meetings where the principal, teachers, student representatives and parent representatives worked together on issues showed her that a diverse group of people with different points of view still had large areas of common ground that allowed them to work well together.
Lily first heard about Youth Parliament when Dan Bidois visited to speak at an assembly. For someone already considering how to get involved in politics and concerned about New Zealand’s role in world matters, the opportunity was a perfect fit. Lily realised this was both a learning opportunity and a chance to build connections with other politically-minded people. She loved meeting and listening to the other Youth MPs, learning how they were informed by different backgrounds and life experiences, and then interacting together with them in groups, critically thinking through issues and formulating ideas.
For someone who follows politics, being inside a working parliament created some 'star-struck' moments. Like saying hello to the person you’re passing on the stairs, then they turn and say hello to you, and it’s Chlöe Swarbrick!
Youth MPs get a chance to use their public speaking skills in this unique environment, watched the whole time by the press gallery, other Youth MPs and actual electorate MPs. The standard of presentation skills was high, and it could be intimidating to know that you might go on straight after an especially compelling presentation. However, the nerves settled as soon as Lily began her speech, and she was swept up by her subject.
Lily’s speech was about the need for investment in 'Third Spaces' for youth. Third spaces refer to the third most important space in your life, after home (your first space) and work (your second space). It’s an informal and relaxed space where you can interact face-to-face with peers and develop a sense of connection. Youth third spaces usually have arts, music and sports equipment to encourage participation and the development of new skills. For many of our youth, these kinds of spaces either don’t exist or are not easily accessible, and they miss out on the mental health benefits that such spaces can provide.
Lily also had the opportunity to work with her electorate MP, Dan Bidois, by going to events and meeting constituents with him. She says Dan is genuinely connected to his community, knows a huge number of people he sees walking down the street, and is very engaged with their issues.
She summed up her takeout from spending time with Dan: "To be a good politician, it’s clear you can’t be power-hungry. You have to care about the people around you because ultimately it’s the people in New Zealand that matter the most, not your ambitions.”
Lily plans to pursue university next, possibly in law and global studies, as her dream is to work for Manatū Aorere – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
We will be hearing more from Chelsea and Lily in Channel Magazine as they will each pen an article for us. We look forward to hearing more about their innovative ideas and understanding some of the experiences they and other young people have in our community.
