Wellington Model Parliament 2026: Volunteer Applications

“Tōu piki amokura nōu, tōku piki amokura nōku.” 

 “Your source of knowledge is correct, my source of knowledge is correct.”

The single topic for WMP will be “Building Aotearoa’s Independence in a Changing Global World”. This is designed to cover multiple different select committee topics and therefore enable engaging debate in different subject areas that individual delegates are passionate about. Delegates will be assigned one of the six parties currently in parliament, whose policies and platform they will seek to represent in debate. They will also be assigned an electorate to simulate the need to represent the interests of their constituents and their parties. For the first time at a regional event, we will also be having a press program, where delegates will act as journalists interviewing other delegates and writing articles for a newspaper designed and edited by volunteers.

The 2026 Election is rapidly approaching, and given that our delegates are often interested in local politics, it is important that we are able to equip them with the skills and knowledge to not only discuss politics but to filter politics. Political knowledge and nuance not only include understanding how politics works, but also understanding what politicians are trying to do through their speeches, their policies, their campaigns, and other elements of politics.

Conference Assistant opportunities are listed below:

Speaker

• The Speaker runs the committee and plenary sessions. Speakers are usually our most experienced CA’s, with a wide range of knowledge on how Model Parliaments operate to ensure lively and smooth debate. Chairs also need to be able to confidently lead the team of CAs in their committee. They will also act as party leaders during the event.

Clerk

• The Clerk is the tech + audio-visual master who receives and clarifies amendments for their committee. Clerks need to be able to work efficiently and effectively with their respective Speaker (they may even have the opportunity to be a Speaker of the committee at some point!). Clerks must also be able to use a computer and Google Workspace efficiently. They will also need to research the educational content of their committee beforehand to prioritise what amendments will be debated further. They will also need to search and answer questions delegates may have.

Press Volunteer

• As a Press Volunteer, you will help guide press delegates as they get a chance to act as journalists for the weekend. You will assist in running educational workshops on journalism skills, editing articles, and helping guide the delegates in interviewing skills.

Logistics Facilitator

• Logistics Facilitators keep the conference running smoothly. Their tasks involve setting up catering, directing delegates around the venue, and keeping the venue clean. Logistics Facilitators should have good time management skills and be able to work in a team.

Welfare Officer

• Welfare Officers hold the essential responsibility of supporting the welfare of both delegates and volunteers at Wellington Model Parliament. The ability to handle sensitive issues with a caring attitude is required as all Welfare Officers must constantly be approachable for any unwell, stressed, or upset participants. A First Aid Certificate is required to be considered as a Welfare Officer.

Photographers / Media

• Photographers are an essential part of making our events memorable for participants. Photographers visit committee rooms throughout the day, taking photographs of the event and participants, which are sent to participants once the event has concluded.