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- By Andrew Bayly, MP for Port Waikato
The Youth Parliament programme is underway, with the 123 Youth Members of Parliament
and 20 Youth Press Gallery members for 2025 officially announced by Youth Minister James Meager on May 1.
Youth Parliament is a marvellous opportunity for young New Zealanders aged 16-18 years to understand and be a part of the Parliamentary process, to learn first-hand about New
Zealand’s democracy and how government works, and to influence decision-making.
All Youth MPs participate in a tenure programme from Monday, April 28 to Friday, August
29, including attending a two-day Youth Parliament event in Wellington from July 1-2.
I am delighted to announce that my Youth MP for 2025 is Holly Timmins.
Following an invitation to young people throughout the electorate, my office sifted through
the applications in early March. It was wonderful to see representatives from secondary
schools across the electorate.
The applicants all brought a fresh perspective to the challenges that young people currently
face, and it was a very difficult task to choose just one.
Holly lives in Pukekawa and attends Hauraki Plains College. Her application was very
impressive.
The topic she is considering taking to the Youth Parliament event in Wellington in July is
how the Government can improve the education system to provide more career opportunities for young people, especially those affected by the years of disruption to their education caused by the Covid pandemic and how concerned they are about leaving school.
I was appalled to hear that many young people have enormous concerns about leaving school and embarking on the next steps in their lives, and many are genuinely worried about what the future may hold for them.
Holly started her tenure programme with me a little early, joining me for this year’s Anzac
Day services at Pōkeno and Waiuku. She was honoured to be invited (and I was delighted
that she was asked) to read the Governor-General’s official message at the civic service at
Waiuku.
I am looking forward to Holly accompanying me and my staff on more public events around
the electorate throughout her tenure.
For electorate issues, contact me at andrew@baylymp.co.nz.
