The New Zealand Youth Parliament, held once in each term of parliament (usually every three or four years), is an event used to promote the civic and community engagement of New Zealand youth. The event has been held since 1994, and takes place at the New Zealand Parliament Buildings. The latest Youth Parliament, the 11th Youth Parliament, took place on 1 and 2 July 2025.
Role and functions Youth Parliament is an initiative led by the Minister for Youth, currently James Meager. The Minister works with a committee of their 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.
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. 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 1997, 2000, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2025.
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 Youth Parliament in 1994. Hughes said in his maiden speech as MP that he was proud to be the first Youth MP to become the "real thing".
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. 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."
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. 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. Youth MPs have an opportunity to meet actual members 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. In 2007 this was an essay, and in 2010 entrants created a video. 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 ten Youth Parliament select committees. These are: Social Services Health Transport and Industrial Relations Local Government and Environment Education and Science Commerce Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Justice Maori Affairs Primary Production
Selection and role
Young people, aged 16 to 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. During Youth Parliament, Youth MPs have the opportunity to debate legislation, sit on select committees and ask parliamentary questions of Cabinet Ministers. Youth MPs are independent, as opposed to belonging to a parliamentary party.
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. In 2013 this was from 1 May to 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.
Organisation
The organisation of Youth Parliament is overseen by the Multi-Party Parliamentary Steering Committee. 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 organising and promoting the event, with the Minister of Youth Development being responsible for the event overall.
1st Youth Parliament (1994) Youth MPs 1994 Youth MP Electorate Representing Richard Adams Eastern Hutt Paul Swain Tane Aikman Eastern Bay of Plenty Tony Ryall Tina Alexander Napier Geoff Braybrooke Carly Allbon Remuera Doug Graham Susan Amaru Māngere David Lange Shannon Austin New Plymouth Harry Duynhoven Mark Barnard Birkenhead Ian Revell Melinka Berridge Tauranga Winston Peters Michelle Brewer Matamata John Luxton Rachel Brighouse Franklin Bill Birch Margaret Browne Albany Don McKinnon Nicholette Buddle Eden Christine Fletcher Sharon Campbell St Albans David Caygill Angela Cassidy-Ellice Northern Maori Tau Henare Delia Cassie Waitaki Alec Neill Estelle Clifford Kapiti Roger Sowry Nicola Creamer Waitakere Brian Neeson Timothy Dick Wairarapa Wyatt Creech Paula Dixon Manawatu Jill White Riki Dodunski Western Maori Koro Wētere James Doolan Tāmaki Clem Simich Emma Dowdle Kaimai Robert Anderson Angela Edgar Wellington-Karori Pauline Gardiner Helen England Roskill Phil Goff Aroha Eynon Christchurch Central Lianne Dalziel Kris Faafoi Sydenham Jim Anderton Laura Feasey Tasman Nick Smith Judith Fussell Miramar Annette King Andre George Rangitikei Denis Marshall David Gold Waikaremoana Roger McClay Ana Gray Southern Maori Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan Anne Hale Hauraki Warren Kyd Michelle Heath Timaru Jim Sutton Paula Hellyer Otago Warren Cooper Alison Helm Dunedin West Clive Matthewson Dylan Hohepa Far North John Carter Michael Hope Marlborough Doug Kidd Darren Hughes Horowhenua Judy Keall Amanda Hunt Wanganui Jill Pettis Juliana Hutley Heretaunga Peter McCardle Craig Ireson Tarawera Max Bradford Dorothy Isaia Otara Taito Phillip Field Lucas Jacob Matakana Graeme Lee Anita Jardor Papakura John Robertson Sara Johnson Onslow Peter Dunne Sacha Judd North Shore Bruce Cliffe Kato'one Kaho Onehunga Richard Northey William Kaipo Hobson Ross Meurant Julie Keenan Palmerston North Steve Maharey Sonia Kennedy Glenfield Peter Hilt Daniel Kerr Hawkes Bay Michael Laws Julie Kerr Rangiora Jim Gerard Kirsten King Clutha Robin Gray Anna Kirk Waikato Rob Storey Jessica Kohe Porirua Graham Kelly Cristen Lind St Kilda Michael Cullen Celia MacKinnon Nelson John Blincoe Wiki Malton Hastings Rick Barker Sam Manu Pencarrow Trevor Mallard Clare Marflitt Papatoetoe Ross Robertson Jessica Martens Lyttelton Ruth Dyson Gay Matthews Whangarei John Banks Kara McDougall Auckland Central Sandra Lee-Vercoe Miles McGill Waipa Katherine O'Regan Joseph McLean Raglan Simon Upton Kate McMillan West Coast Damian O'Connor Kerry Milestone Western Hutt Joy Quigley Anthony Mills Manurewa George Hawkins Gaynor Morgan Hamilton West Martin Gallagher Patricia Muir Wallace Bill English Miranda Northey Mount Albert Helen Clark Cushla O'Neill Invercargill Mark Peck Deborah Pollard Te Atatu Chris Carter Nicky Proctor Waitotara Peter Gresham Anne Ross Eastern Maori Peter Tapsell Sally Routledge Christchurch North Mike Moore Lucy Scandrett Fendalton Philip Burdon Phillip Schone Island Bay Elizabeth Tennet Rebecca Selby Hamilton East Dianne Yates Katherine Short New Lynn Jonathan Hunt Cathryn Simpson Avon Larry Sutherland Bronwyn Sing Dunedin North Pete Hodgson Melanie Speer Pakuranga Maurice Williamson Bradley Stone Selwyn David Carter Maria Syme Tongariro Mark Burton Regan Thomson East Coast Bays Murray McCully Lynne Tizzard Panmure Judith Tizard Mani Toailoa Henderson Jack Elder Karl von Randow Titirangi Suzanne Sinclair Gillian Waite Pahiatua John Falloon Anna Walkington Yaldhurst Margaret Austin Joanne Watkinson Howick Trevor Rogers Alison Weston King Country Jim Bolger Adelle Wintle Kaipara Lockwood Smith Craig Wisnewski Taranaki Roger Maxwell Harvey Wood Rakaia Jenny Shipley Desiree Wright Awarua Eric Roy Maria Wynard Gisborne Janet Mackey Philippa Yardley Rotorua Paul East
2nd Youth Parliament (1997) Youth MPs 1997 List means the individual is representing a List MP, while Electorate indicates they are representing an Electorate MP.