The Youth Parliament programme is held every three years and provides an amazing opportunity for young people aged 16 to 18 years who are keen to make a difference in their communities.
Every Member of Parliament around the country gets to select their own Youth MP to represent them and the young people of their local electorate for a six-month community-based tenure, the highlight of which is attending the two-day Youth Parliament event in Wellington in July.
Here, Youth MPs sit in their MP’s seat in the House, become involved in debates, present a speech, and engage in other parliamentary business such as attending select committees, drafting legislation and being interviewed by members of the Youth Press Gallery.
For those with an interest in pursuing a career in politics, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
MP for Port Waikato Andrew Bayly says the selection process is tough. “The calibre of those that apply is incredibly high and we have a terrible time trying to choose. Candidates must be active in the community and have a keen interest in social change and the issues currently affecting young people.”
Andrew’s Youth MP for 2022 is Carlin Lee, previously Head Boy of Tuakau College and now a student at the University of Otago where he is studying a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in PPE (philosophy, politics and economics), minoring in finance, alongside a Bachelor of Laws.
Prior to heading off to university, Carlin was very involved in musical theatre, performing in shows throughout the Auckland region, as well as in New York and Atlanta; he was also involved with the RSA Franklin and Papakura pipe bands.
He was a member of numerous school committees, including many in a leadership position, such as being a national leader for Students Against Dangerous Driving (SADD), the largest student-led organisation in New Zealand.
His tenure as a Youth MP started well before heading down to Wellington. “A lot of Youth MPs just had a meeting with their MP or something similar before the two-day Youth Parliament, but Andrew and his amazing team made me very welcome and involved me from the first day,” Carlin says.
“I spent a full day with Andrew several times and it was always an early start. I had the pleasure of joining a meeting with the staff of Pukekohe North School and visited Nga Hau E Wha O Pukekohe Marae. I sat in on a number of constituent meetings, attended three different ANZAC Day parades, and met many members of the local community.”
Finally though, Carlin and the other 119 Youth MPs met in Wellington for two days of Youth Parliament. “It was such a wonderful experience that I am so grateful to have had,” he says.
“I met many amazing like-minded people who were all there for one sole purpose: to seek change in their own way. Sitting in the green chairs in the House of Representatives is a surreal experience that only a few can say they have had.
“I sat in on the Economic Development, Science and Innovation Committee and talked about some of the important issues that concern our local community.
“Youth Parliament was officially opened by the Governor-General, Dame Cindy Kiro, and talking to Dame Cindy and her military adviser was a highlight of my trip. She was very sincere and warm and I feel that we got along very well, to the extent that she called me a future Prime Minister!
“I also had some good conversations with Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Karl Le Quesne (chief executive of the Electoral Commission) and other MPs from across the political spectrum.”
Carlin also participated in the General Debate, giving a three-minute speech to the House on a topic of his choice. “I spoke on mental health which is one of the most challenging issues that the youth of Aotearoa face today,” he explains.
“I have had a personal battle with mental health on multiple occasions and it is vitally important that this issue gets the attention it needs. There were 120 Youth MPs in the House, yet these numbers are less than one-fifth of the total people who lost their lives to suicide from June 2020 to July 2021.
“It is a complex issue to understand and a difficult one to devise solutions for, but I can’t just sit idly by when I know so many people are struggling every day.” You can watch Carlin’s speech on YouTube by searching ‘Carlin Lee Youth Parliament’.
What has Carlin taken away from the experience?
“Politics is an intriguing and complex system that has a monumental impact on the way we live,” he says. “However, if you have an interest in politics, you also need to have barriers; you never want to succumb to the system. Balancing your own political beliefs with others is integral to maintaining a healthy relationship with the system of politics, as well as those close to you. We all want better outcomes for everyone, and we need to work universally to make sure this happens.”
And has the experience changed his desire to follow a political career? “At the beginning of the event, I sent a text to Andrew saying that I was keeping his seat warm,” Carlin laughs. “At the end of the event, I wrote a letter and put it on his desk with a cheeky remark, saying ‘I now have the mentality that you’ll be keeping my seat warm (a few more years to go).’
“However, I definitely want to experience working in the private sector as I believe first-hand experience is crucial to a successful career in politics.”
There have been some learnings for Andrew Bayly too. “One of the wonderful things about the Youth Parliament programme is that we get to see the depth of talent and experience that these young people bring to politics. They have a huge amount of enthusiasm for local issues. They are worldly wise already and deeply concerned about the future,” Andrew says.
“I really enjoyed the time I spent with Carlin and it gave me great pleasure to share with him the joys of being an MP, what we do to pass laws, and introducing him to the myriad of issues that Barbara, Lynne and I in my office face every day. The experience will stand him in good stead as a future leader and I wish him all the very best.”