Youth MP Announced for East Coast

Gisborne youth Elenor Walsh, 17, has been announced as the Youth MP for the East Coast electorate and will take part in the nationwide Youth Parliament later in the year.

The former Gisborne Girls' High student is studying at Woodford House in Hawkes Bay, and was selected by an independent panel of judges, including a local government representative, an iwi representative from the Eastern Bay and a member of the Eastern Bay community.

Walsh said she was thrilled to be announced as the Youth MP after a challenging appointment process which included sending in a video, an interview and the presentation of her speech to the judging panel in Ōpōtiki.

“I am extremely excited and thankful to be chosen for this opportunity, it’s a huge honour to represent the East Coast youth and to project their voice at parliament later this year.

"I look forward to engaging with the youth in this district and listening to what ideas our rangatahi would like to change and add to make this region the best it can b," she said.

Youth MPs will do some work in the community and will attend the Youth Parliament in Wellington on 1 and 2 July 2025.

Their programme includes work on leadership, policy and provides an opportunity for a youth voice in the democratic process.

Dana Kirkpatrick told 1XX News, part of the role involves working together on a community project.

"So Eleanor's role, she will have to work with me on a community project, and we'll probably do something along the lines of getting a youth advisory group together to ensure that youth voices are being heard as part of our democratic process in the Eastern Bay and Tairāwhiti. 

“She will take part in a debate in the debating chamber in parliament, and there'll be some leadership and development opportunities as well as being part of a great network of youth MPs from across the country.”