Youth Parliament 2010
Youth Parliament 2010 was an opportunity for young New Zealanders to learn about New Zealand’s democracy and influence public decision-making.
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Youth Parliament has been held every three years since 1994. The last Youth Parliament was held 6-7 July 2010.
Young people 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). During Youth Parliament, Youth MPs have the opportunity to debate legislation, sit on select committees and ask parliamentary questions of Cabinet Ministers.
Meanwhile, their Youth Press Gallery colleagues report on their activities and make sure they are held accountable to the public.
Youth Parliament is real as possible. Government personnel and procedures are maintained.
What happened in the House
New Zealand Parliamentary Debates (Hansard) reports on the proceedings of the House. A transcript of the proceedings of Youth Parliament 2010 has been prepared by the Office of the Clerk of House of Representative.
Topics that were discussed
The Youth Parliament 2010 Bill focused on creating an age of majority bill. The bill focused on creating a single age of majority that would make a single age for different activities to become lawful, eg drinking, driving and voting ages. This was passed by Youth MPs.
Ten select committees were also held.
The New Zealand Business and Parliament Trust competition
Closes 13 August 2010
The New Zealand Business and Parliament Trust (NZBPT) is supporting Youth Parliament 2010 again this year and will be offering Youth MPs the chance to win a share of $5,000 to support further study.
The trust has been a supporter of Youth Parliament since 1997 and has provided opportunities for Youth MPs for each subsequent Youth Parliament.
For 2010, the trust will be asking Youth MPs to submit their views on the issues, impressions and impacts of being part of Youth Parliament 2010.
Youth MPs have five weeks after returning from Youth Parliament 2010 to submit their impressions through the trusts YouTube channel. A flyer with further information about the competition is available for download below.
