New Zealand Model Parliament 2025 - Organising Committee Applications

ABOUT NZ MODEL PARLIAMENT

New Zealand Model Parliament is a Christchurch-based national event designed for high school students to experience Parliament as a change-maker. With select committees on thought-provoking topics, and dives into current issues through workshops and parliamentary debate, the New Zealand Model Parliament is an experiential crash course into the workings of Parliament.

As our only South Island-based national event, the New Zealand Model Parliament is particularly important for engaging with the youth of Te Waipounamu and improving UN Youth's regional reach. It is also our youngest national event, first run in 2018 - allowing plenty of scope for the committee to grow the conference and truly make it their own.

ABOUT THE ROLES

The Committee Members will fulfil their specific roles and work as a team to achieve New Zealand Model Parliament’s objectives. Committee Member roles from previous New Zealand Model Parliament conferences are outlined below. You should indicate an interest in one or more of these in your application.

• Education Officer

• Relations Officer

• Registrations Officer

• Communications Officer

• Promotions Officer

• Logistics Officer

• Volunteers Officer

• Equity Officer

• Head of Welfare

TERM

The Committee Member roles will involve a commitment from appointment to the completion of final reporting after the conference. By this time, conference finances will need to be wound up. This includes submitting all relevant financial documentation, following up on outstanding invoices and seeking approval from the National Finance Officer.

ORGANISING COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

The responsibilities of the organising committee are outlined below. Led by the Coordinator, the organising committee typically comprises ten volunteers who are each allocated portfolios that align with one or more of the following areas.

Administration

The organising committee will need to report back to the Board of Directors and National Executive outlining the conference’s successes, challenges and recommendations. The organising committee will also need to ensure good record-keeping and communication with the participants during the registration process and the conference itself.

WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY?

Being a Committee Member will be a unique experience and an amazing development opportunity. If you have the skills we are looking for, we highly encourage you to apply!

More specifically, below are five key reasons why you should apply.

Professional Development

You will gain transferable skills that will benefit you no matter what your future goals are. The opportunity will boost your resume and you will gain a lot of expertise from the other volunteers you will work with.

Community

The friends you make in our organisation are a big reason for people to come back again and again. This role is a great opportunity to meet new, like-minded and passionate people or work with your friends.

Fun

A role such as this will be a great deal of work, but it can also be fun! You will have the opportunity to present your own ideas for the conference, work with awesome people and form memories for a lifetime.

Service

If you have participated in UN Youth events in the past, you will know just how educational and transformative they can be. This role is a fantastic way to give back to the organisation and contribute to the wider community through direct youth development.

Challenge

Organising a national conference is no small task. This role is really something that is significant and special – perfect for someone looking to extend or challenge themselves.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

We encourage applications from people who demonstrate exceptional ability in the following four areas:

1. Passion: Someone with a genuine interest in youth development and global affairs.

2. Leadership: A leader who thrives in a collaborative team environment.

3. Communication: The Committee Members will be involved in liaising with a large number of stakeholders.

4. Organisational Skills: Someone with the ability to organise a complex event over an extended timeframe and involving hundreds of participants.

Prior experience with UN Youth is beneficial, but not necessary.

ELIGIBILITY

There are some specific criteria to be eligible for the New Zealand Model Parliament Committee Member positions.

You must:

• Be able to fully commit to the expectations of the role;

• Be no longer attending secondary school and be no older than 25 years old; and

• Have no criminal convictions.

QUERIES

Questions about the role or the application process can be directed to the National People Officer, Sara Ahmad ([email protected]).