Want to be an MP one day? Or a press gallery journalist? There's another Youth Parliament next year so now's the time to apply. We talked to a few former youth MPs and journalists to find out what it's all about.
Former youth MP Chris Bishop in 2000 way before he became a real MP for National. Photo: Supplied / Chris Bishop
Every three years Parliament hosts a Youth Parliament, which is basically like real Parliament without any of the stress or responsibility of being an actual MP or journalist.
Youth MPs get to debate a mock bill, sit on select committees and ask real ministers questions in a mock Question Time.
The National Party list MP Chris Bishop, 32, is a self-described "Hutt boy and cricket tragic" and was a youth MP 15 years ago.
"I knew that I wanted to study politics one day and maybe one day become a politician, so it was just a real thrill to go to Parliament and hang out there and meet all the politicians, take part in select committees and speak in the House," he says.
"I distinctly remember walking into the debating chamber and finding my seat and it was just really kind of energising and there was this big adrenaline rush, it was great."
If you've got views, and you've got opinions, and you're not shy about putting them forward, then Youth Parliament is the thing for you.
He still clearly remembers debating a mock bill about decriminalising marijuana use for people aged 18 and over.
Another highlight was asking the then Minister of Broadcasting a question about youth radio in the mock Question Time.
He says Youth Parliament was also pretty funny to watch.
"You had some people who were clearly massive partisan politics hacks ... like the youth wings of parties, who took it really seriously, who were acting as if they were really MPs," he says.
Youth Parliament has a good vibe and is collegial, while the real thing is more combative.
"If you've got views, and you've got opinions, and you're not shy about putting them forward, then Youth Parliament is the thing for you," he says, " and that's certainly what I'm looking for with my youth MP."
The leader of the ACT Party, David Seymour, says he's looking forward to choosing a youth MP to represent his electorate of Epsom.
And he insists he's not expecting a David Seymour mini-me ...
"Look, thankfully, after people saw what I was turning into, they stopped making any more, so that's impossible. However, we're going to find a very talented person."
Youth MPs will get to see how Parliament works without having to go on the campaign trail to get there, he says. "You know, very few people get to do it. I feel very lucky to have the experience I've got representing Epsom and this is a way that you can get some of that without having to knock on 13,000 doors."
NZ Newswire reporter Sarah Robson multi-tasks by watching Parliament TV and checking twitter. Photo: Unknown
If being an MP is not your thing, then there's always the other side of the coin - a Youth Press Gallery journalist.
The press gallery's Sarah Robson, 27, works for NZ Newswire and will help coordinate the Youth Press Gallery next year.
She says if you're interested in becoming a political journalist, joining the Youth Press Gallery is a good way to dip your toes in the water and see what you think.
"It's really great practical experience, trying to find stories and building contacts with the youth MPs you're going to be reporting on," she says.
"Younger journalists and younger people have a different outlook and spin on issues debated by Parliament."
She says the flag debate is just one example.
Younger journalists and younger people have a different outlook and spin on issues debated by Parliament.
"That's one issue where there is quite a big generational divide in terms of what people want and in the end it's our younger generation that's going to be stuck with whatever decision is made out of these referendums, which is why it's really important to have young people involved from the outset."
Jamie Tahana, 21, who now works for Radio New Zealand International, was a Youth Press Gallery member in 2013.
Jamie says it was a fun experience but, typically for a journalist, he mostly enjoyed the catering.
He says one highlight was going behind the scenes at Parliament, such as seeing the MPs' billiards room, which is considered their sanctuary from the public and journalists.
He says he keeps in touch with some of his fellow Youth Press Gallery mates and met up with them in Auckland recently to catch up.
And he says being a Youth Press Gallery reporter is a pretty good line on your CV too.
You can get information about the selection process for both youth MPs and the Youth Press Gallery by emailing beheard@youthparliament.govt.nz
If you're interested in being a youth MP, get in touch with your local MP.
Applications close October 16 and press gallery applications close October 9.
More information about Youth Parliament is available here.
This content was made for The Wireless with funding from Parliament.
