December 11, 2015
Petition lesson in politics for teens
Hauraki-Waikato MP Nanaia Mahuta says delivering a petition to parliament this week seeking a national commemoration of the New Zealand Wars was a great lesson in for rangatahi on how to seek change.
The 10,000 signature petition originated at Otorohanga after a school trip to 19th century battle sites in the district, and more than 400 students from kura round the country were at parliament to support its handover to Ms Mahuta.
She says one of those responsible, Leah Bell, will be back in the house soon as a youth MP selected by her local National MP.
"She now has a practical set of experiences of how to effect change and what participation in the political process could achieve. We are all very very proud of the girls. Waimarama Anderson and Leah Bell were the main petitioners supported by their mates at the college and their teachers, it's just a huge effort and they've done really really well,'says Nanaia Mahuta.
FULL INTERVIEW: NANAIA MAHUTA
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