Year 11 St Paul’s Collegiate School student Thomas Watson has been offered a spot in the press room at the 2016 Youth Parliament.
The event is held every three years, allowing future MPs and political journalists to get a taste of parliament. In 2013, the two day event included a briefing on key items of legislation and a caucus meeting in the Government Caucus Room among other ceremonies and events.
Youth Minister Nikki Kaye says the programme is a “great opportunity for young leaders to get first-hand experience of how Parliament works.”
Watson is among 20 Youth Press members who were selected to report on events leading up to and during the event.
In early January, Watson will attend a Youth Parliament training session that will give Youth Press members ideas on how to report on events and what they can report on.
At the conclusion of the Youth Parliament, Youth Press members and Youth MPs are invited to enter an essay competition, sponsored by the New Zealand Business and Parliament Trust. The top three essay winners will be collectively awarded $6,500 worth of prize money.
The event has been running every three years since 1994. Old Collegiate Mark Davis attended the event in 2013 as a Youth MP for Hamilton West.
