NZ Model Parliament 2021 - Volunteer Registrations

Important registrations note: The form is time limited (20 minutes) and each question has a strict 400 character limit. We recommend writing out any answers in a separate document (taking note of character limits) before copying them over.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 11:59PM Saturday 20th November 2021

Please note if you signed up for the original dates in September, your tickets will automatically go towards the new dates. If you can no longer make the conference, please email the Registrations Officer at amelia.cai@unyouth.org.nz. 

The conference take place online if the country is in Levels 3 & 4. 

Volunteers Training is a short compulsory training hui (1-2hrs) for each of the volunteer roles before the conference. Volunteer Training will be held online this year! However, there will be an optional volunteers social dinner on  Thursday (16th Dec) evening. We will send out the timetable for training once numbers are confirmed. The online hui will take place over the week before NZMP (Mon 13th Dec - Thu 16th Dec).

WHAT IS NZ MODEL PARLIAMENT?

New Zealand Model Parliament is a three day event designed for high school students to experience Parliament as a change-maker. With select committees on thought-provoking topics, deep-dives into current issues through workshops and parliamentary debate, NZMP is an experiential crash course into the workings of Parliament. As a participant, you will gain a thorough understanding of how Parliament’s laws affects our lives, inter-party politics and the legislative process. You will also practice your soft skills of critical thinking, public speaking and collaboration (read: an incredible opportunity to meet other community-driven engaged high school students all around Aotearoa!). We cater to all experience and knowledge levels, so all we need from you is to bring yourself! NZMP will be held in Christchurch from Friday 10th September to Sunday 12th September, with a volunteer training day on Thursday 9th September.

WHAT IS UN YOUTH?

We are a non-profit organisation that provides civics education outside the traditional classroom context. Through fun workshops and conferences, we engage youth in the most pressing affairs of their country and the international community. Our goal is to inspire young New Zealanders to be active, global citizens. Global citizenship exists in an incredibly diverse range of forms, and UN Youth provides opportunities for delegates to develop their own form of active citizenship. Throughout Aotearoa, our work equips young people to become informed, engaged, and critical New Zealanders who understand their global context and the connections between the local and the global. Annually, over 3000 young New Zealanders from Northland to Southland attend a UN Youth event, run by a body of 150 volunteers across the country who dedicate many hours of their time to engaging young people and growing the organisation.

VOLUNTEER ROLES

Please note: volunteering is only open to high school leavers aged 25 or under.

Chairperson

In the chairperson role you will run select committee sessions at the conference. Each select committee debates and amends one topic section from the mock bill (e.g. Justice). In this role you will engage directly with high school students to facilitate conversation and deliver an unique hands on educational experience. Each select committee will likely have one Chairperson and one Deputy Chairperson.

Party Whip

In the Party Whip role you will look after an assigned party during ‘Party Time’ (yes it’s as fun as it sounds!) This involves overseeing party meetings & decisions, facilitating discussion about a party's political stance, running workshops, and coordinating your party’s voting efforts during Committee of the Whole House. As a Party Whip you will work in a pair or small team.

Press Representative Facilitator

As a PRF, you will work alongside the students who have chosen to be involved in our press programme! With your assistance, they will run press conferences and report on conference activities via social media and a daily newspaper. This role is an opportunity to get a glimpse into different select committee rooms and help the Press Reps learn more about the influence of journalism on politicians and Parliament! If you're interested in media and journalism, or you love to stir up a bit of drama, this is the role for you.

Regional Delegation Volunteer

In 2021, NZ Model Parliament is running a Regional Delegation (RD) programme for the very first time! As an RD volunteer you’ll be working under the RD Directorship (Julia Welsh, Chhavi Breja, and Henry Seaton) to prove full time care for our out of town high school students.  Volunteering with RD offers a great chance to create some lasting memories as part of a tight knit team. As an RD volunteer you’ll have your accommodation and food costs covered and stay on site at a hostel with the RD programme.

Liaisons

As a conference, we strive to do our very best to be as equitable and inclusive as possible for all of our CAs and delegates. Both the Māori and Pasifika liaison roles are invaluable to the delegate experience, particularly for students from Māori and Pasifika communities. In the past, Māori and Pasifika liaisons have mentored delegates and provided them with guidance and opportunities to socialise with other like-minded people from similar backgrounds. The liaison roles were created to allow students from diverse communities to experience what can sometimes be a very Pākehā conference experience, and as a liaison, you would have the freedom to explore how this experience can be best delivered.

Please note that MPI Liaison is not a standalone role. If you are offered the role of MPI Liaison you will also be offered another role alongside it.

Logistics Facilitator

Logistics Facilitators work behind the scenes to ensure that NZ Model UN runs as smoothly as possible. Logistics Facilitators are organised, balanced individuals with excellent time management. Without a strong Logistics team, NZ Model UN would never get off the ground. Their tasks will range from setting up catering, to helping lost delegates and keeping conference looking sharp (as well as always being the first ones to eat!).

Media Team

The media team, made up of photographers and videographers, play a vital role in capturing the memories that representatives and volunteers will love to revisit long after NZ Model Parliament 2021 is over. They are the ones responsible for truly making our conference unforgettable. Previous experience and skills will be essential, but the experience is certain to be rewarding. A small portfolio may be required on application.

Welfare Officer

Welfare Officers hold the essential responsibility of supporting the welfare of both delegates and volunteers at NZ Model Parliament. The ability to handle sensitive issues with a caring attitude and open ears are absolutely required as all Welfare Officers must constantly be approachable for unwell, stressed or upset participants. Welfare Officers with particular past experience or knowledge may be given certain specialisations, such as pastoral care, mental wellbeing, or first aid. A First Aid Certificate is required to be considered as a Welfare Officer.

Those wishing to be considered for Head of Welfare must apply by the 23rd of June 2021.

For any questions about the event, feel free to contact our Registrations Manager Amelia Cai at amelia.cai@unyouth.org.nz

This registration submission authorises UN Youth New Zealand the right to capture my image and likeness in photos, videos and other media footage (“footage”). Additionally, it authorises UN Youth New Zealand the right to edit, publish and distribute any and all footage of me without any compensation to be used for any lawful purpose (e.g. creating promotional material).This registration submission authorises UN Youth New Zealand the right to collect, store and use any and all demographic information of me to be used for any lawful purpose (e.g. tracking who our organisation is reaching). This demographic information will not be individually identifiable. The foregoing authorisations shall continue indefinitely unless I otherwise revoke them in writing to privacy@unyouth.org.nz.