Email to Youth MPs 'could have been clearer' - Ministry

The Ministry of Youth Development has acknowledged the way it communicated with Youth MPs about changes to their speeches could have been clearer.

Youth MPs representing coalition parties' MPs have also pushed back on the accusations of censorship from their peers.

About half of the young people invited to learn how Parliament works by emulating the job of MPs were asked to remove parts of their speeches mentioning government policies, including pay equity and the Treaty Principles Bill.

Some decried this as "censorship".

In a statement, Ministry of Youth Development general manager John Robertson said it was long-standing practice to review Youth MPs' general debate speeches and suggest changes.

"We've looked through our correspondence and acknowledge we could have been clearer and more consistent in our language. The e-mail headers said 'General Debate Speech feedback – changes required' and the content of our emails went on to explain our feedback was just 'recommendations'.

"We accept that this could have caused confusion."

Since the accusations of censorship, the ministry has underlined that it was up to the Youth MPs what their speeches would contain and "we fully respect your right to shape your speech in the way that feels right to you".

Some of the Youth MPs have done just that – vowing to deliver their speeches without the suggested edits.

Robertson confirmed members of the Youth Press Gallery – assigned to emulate political reporters – also had their work checked by the ministry before being it could be distributed more widely.

He said the Youth Parliament was intended to be non-partisan, and this was explained to participants from the start of their induction.

"Both general debate speeches and youth press gallery contributions are moderated, and we may suggest changes. This is a long-standing practice with Youth Parliament."

He reiterated the ministry's guidance was intended to ensure articles and speeches remained focused on policy rather than party, did not breach defamation, copyright, privacy, or contempt of court laws, followed principles of no naming, no blaming, no shaming, and made no false assertions or claims not backed by fact.

Today, Youth MPs representing MPs from New Zealand First, National, and ACT held a press conference of their own, accusing campaigners for Make it 16 of hijacking Youth Parliament for their own politicking.

"They knew the entire time they could do their speech. They're just stirring this whole thing up because they came here with an agenda," said Jerry Wei, Youth MP for Karen Chhour.

He dismissed concerns the speeches had been censored.

Bryn Pierce, Youth MP for Andy Foster, said some speeches that other Youth MPs disagreed with were disrupted by walk-outs or repeated points of order.

"That is not an environment where Youth MPs can truly feel safe to share their voice," he said.

The press conference ended up being joined by other Youth MPs, keen to debate each other on Parliament's steps.

Benjamin Kingsford, Youth MP for Jan Tinetti, said it was a shame the debate about censorship was being reported on instead of the content of the speeches.

"We've had amazing speeches about mental health, about sexual abuse, about the environment, about the economy, about all of these issues that actually matter to New Zealanders."

He said the Youth MPs should acknowledge other people's opinions, and move forward together.

Elite Reti, Peeni Henare's Youth MP, said he hoped young people would continue to have their say.

"I think the main message on this Youth Parliament is that we have opinions. We're all going to disagree on certain things. Maybe we'll agree on other things, some fundamental things," he said.

rnz.co.nz