Our Head Prefect, Ivy Mitchell, has been selected as the North Shore Youth MP for Simon Watts (both pictured above). This is a sought-after and prestigious position which will give Ivy hands-on experience in the world of politics. Here she talks about how the opportunity came about, and what she hopes to achieve out of it.
By Ivy Mitchell
From the 30-year-old biscuit tin where bills are drawn, to debating topical issues that have an impact on our community, Parliament and politics is something I am very excited to be a part of this year as the North Shore Youth MP for Simon Watts.
Especially during my high school years, I have been interested in politics and in particular the concerns and well being of the rangatahi around me. Being involved in civic groups such as Amnesty International and public speaking through debating teams, I thought that finishing off high school as the local Youth MP was an opportunity that I couldn’t miss. So towards the end of last year, I sent a short video to the North Shore MP Simon Watts explaining why I wanted to be chosen as his Youth MP. After an interview, I was extremely thrilled to receive a phone call from Simon late last year letting me know I was the successful candidate!
I am particularly excited to be in a position of voice for the youth on the shore, to further immerse myself in the North Shore community and to head down to Parliament later on in the year. In July, the other Youth MP’s from across the country and I will be gathering in Parliament to debate the ‘Starting-out Wage Abolition’ mock Amendment Bill that was recently drawn in a ballot over zoom supervised by the Speaker of the House Trevor Mallard. Youth Parliament takes place every three years and is designed to give rangatahi insight into democracies and opportunities to have meaningful engagement with politics.
As well as having the opportunity to debate in the debating chamber, the Youth MP role has also put me in a unique position to have a voice in the local community. As well as having the opportunities to engage in local events in the community, I am also very excited to be working on a youth mental health forum with Simon planned later on in the year. Keep an eye out for some updates!
In the future, I will continue to explore my love of politics, as I am hoping to study political communications and potentially become a diplomat. I am very lucky that I am already able to have the opportunity to launch myself in the world of politics, as the North Shore Youth MP.
