Youth Parliament 2025: Hawke's Bay MPs select young leaders
A former Youth MP herself, Wedd said she knew what she was looking for and it was Chris' passion for politics and drive to make a difference that made him stand out.
'He is perfectly placed to be a voice for the electorate's youth,' she said.
'We have such an amazingly talented youth population and Chris is a true leader who isn't afraid to stand up to the issues.'
Proctor said it was a privilege to be selected and he is excited to bring everything to the role.
'Tukituki has so much to offer, and I can't wait to champion our region,' he said.
Joining Proctor will be Neeve Smith, a student at Central Hawke's Bay College, selected by Wairarapa MP Mike Butterick.
Smith lives on a sheep and beef farm near Waipukurau. She is a passionate advocate for her community, has participated in national leadership events, and co-founded an award-winning Young Enterprise Scheme business called Retouch & Co, addressing the rising demand for skincare that balances aesthetics with protection.
'I am delighted that Neeve will represent me at Youth Parliament 2025 and I am looking forward to seeing her engage with young people from Wairarapa, Tararua, and Central Hawke's Bay to hear what's important to them,' Butterick said.
Smith said it was a privilege to be selected and she is looking forward to connecting with people across the Wairarapa Electorate communities to represent them on the issues they want to raise.
Representing the Napier electorate will be St Joseph's Māori Girls College student Mariah Wakefield-Otene, selected by Katie Nimon.
Nimon said the application process was highly competitive, with an overwhelming number of high-quality applications from young people across the electorate.
'Upon meeting Mariah, it was clear she is a smart, confident young woman,' Nimon said.
'I was really impressed hearing about what's important to her and what she wants to achieve in the future. I can't wait to work with her and see the fresh perspectives she will bring to the table.'
The two-day event will take place on July 1 and 2 at Parliament in Wellington.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
5 days ago
- Scoop
Strengthening Ties To China During Prime Minister's Trade Delegation
Launching new study abroad and research collaboration partnerships with top Chinese universities and research institutes is the focus of Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington's involvement in the Prime Minister's trade delegation to China. Vice-Chancellor Professor Nic Smith is delighted to be participating in this visit to China to formalise these arrangements which offer exciting opportunities to future students interested in coming to study in Aotearoa New Zealand, as well as forge new research collaborations. These partnerships include a major research partnership with Shanghai's prestigious Fudan University, focused on public health, biotechnology, and climate science, as well as articulation and study abroad agreements with one of China's largest universities, Zhengzhou University. This visit provides an important opportunity for Victoria University of Wellington to position itself as a top choice for students to consider when looking at studying overseas, says Professor Smith. 'We are committed to deepening our partnerships with China's leading institutions—united by a shared ambition to blend academic excellence with global citizenship. 'Together, we are preparing the next generation to lead with knowledge, empathy, and purpose.' 'Being part of this delegation reflects New Zealand's recognition of universities as engines of innovation, diplomacy, and enduring global relationships. It is a privilege to represent our sector and reinforce education's vital role in connecting nations.' Prime Minister Rt Hon Christopher Luxon says New Zealand's education sector is globally respected for its quality, innovation, and commitment to partnership. 'Our universities, including Victoria University of Wellington, play a key role in fostering long-term academic and research collaborations with countries like China. These connections not only support student mobility and world-class research but also strengthen the broader relationship between our two countries.' Victoria University of Wellington already maintains deep connections and a broad reach across China through longstanding research partnerships, student mobility programmes, and alumni networks. The University first signed an agreement with Xiamen University in the 1980s, and its Confucius Institute was opened by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to New Zealand in 2010. It is a founding partner of the New Zealand Centre at Peking University and hosts the pre-eminent New Zealand Contemporary Chinese Research Centre. In 2023, Victoria University of Wellington welcomed its first cohort of students enrolled at a Joint Institute through a partnership with China's largest university—Zhengzhou University, a globally ranked university with around 73,000 students. Professor Smith says universities play a crucial role in international dialogue as the world faces increasingly complex challenges. 'In a world facing complex, interconnected challenges—from climate change to public health—our researchers are advancing global solutions. This delegation is a powerful opportunity to showcase how collaboration across borders strengthens those efforts.' 'At Victoria University of Wellington, we see education not simply as a journey, but as a launchpad—for discovery, for leadership, and for impact. We are proud to support the aspirations of students who will shape the future of our world.' The University will also be launching the Kitea Impact Programme—a leadership development initiative for future global changemakers—and a work integrated learning programme which provides students with hands-on experience in real-world projects while offering New Zealand businesses deeper insights into the Chinese market and access to top talent. Professor Smith will participate in official events and meetings in Beijing and Shanghai and will reinforce Victoria University of Wellington's commitment to China by signing partnership agreements with a number of prestigious Chinese universities. About the partnerships Research collaboration with Fudan University, Shanghai—one of China's most prestigious and research-intensive universities—in the areas of public health, biotechnology, and climate science. Student mobility agreements with Communication University of Zhejiang, Hangzhou—one of the two leading universities in China specialising in cultivating professionals for China's media and broadcast industries. Students will be provided a pathway into Victoria University of Wellington's Master's degrees in Computer Science, and Intercultural Communication and Applied Translation. Research collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences—a leading research centre in Beijing in the fields of philosophy and social sciences. The research collaboration with Victoria University of Wellington's New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre focuses on climate change, diaspora studies, and modern Chinese history. Student mobility agreements with Yantai University, a comprehensive university in Shandong with more than 29,000 students, which will see students transfer to complete a Victoria University of Wellington Bachelor degree in Language Sciences. Study abroad agreement with Zhengzhou University in Henan. With around 73,000 students, it is the largest university in China. The agreement will allow students from ZZU to study at VUW for one or two trimesters.
Otago Daily Times
04-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
England cricketers ride hire bikes to game after traffic jam
England's players rode hire bikes through London to get to the ground for the third one-day international against West Indies as their opponents got snarled up in traffic to force a 30-minute delay to the start at The Oval. With the West Indies team stuck on their bus, England's players were seen riding electrically-assisted Lime Bikes well ahead of the scheduled 1pm start time to the amusement of fans waiting to get in. They were warming up on the outfield when the delay was announced to the crowd on a murky day in the capital overnight (NZ time). "Due to a delayed arrival of one of the playing teams, who are stuck in heavy traffic north of the river, the scheduled start of play will be delayed," an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) statement said. "Once all members of the playing teams arrive, the match officials will coordinate updated timings and discuss any impact on the schedule of play." 🚴♂️ England's cricket team found a stylish way to dodge London's traffic chaos for the 3rd ODI against West Indies! Electric bikes to the rescue at The Oval. #ENGvWI — Gags ⚡️ (@CatchOfThe40986) June 3, 2025 Play eventually began at 1.30pm, with England looking to wrap up a 3-0 series win after victories at Edgbaston and Cardiff. Traffic light failures and road closures near Vauxhall Bridge had caused the chaos, with England captain Harry Brook saying they had decided to take matters into their own hands. "We were on the bus for a while, then we all decided to get off and get some Lime bikes in," captain Harry Brook said after winning the toss and opting to bowl. "We were in a little bit earlier than the West Indies boys, but we're here now and ready to go." The West Indies team were staying at nearby Chelsea Harbour, around three miles away. "We probably should have walked," captain Shai Hope said. England sweeps series England completed the 3-0 sweep with opener Jamie Smith's rapid half century paving the way for a convincing seven-wicket victory. Set a revised target of 246 in 40 overs after West Indies posted 251-9 in a rain-shortened match, England sauntered to victory after Smith's ferocious onslaught of 64 from 28 balls. Fellow opener Ben Duckett chipped in with 58 and Joe Root made a relaxed 44 as England made light work of the chase — Jos Buttler joining the party with a quickfire 41 and sealing victory with a huge six in the 30th over. A series whitewash was the perfect start for England's new white ball captain Harry Brook after England had lost their previous seven ODIs ahead of the series. England's players arrived at a murky Oval on a fleet of hire bicycles to avoid local traffic problems that snagged the West Indies team coach and caused a 30-minute delay to the start. But the 24-year-old Smith set off more like an express train as his withering assault on the West Indies attack whisked the game away from the chastened visitors. He brought up his first ODI half century in the seventh over of England's reply from just 25 balls, launching spinner Gudakesh Motie over the long on boundary for six. Another six followed before Motie ended the carnage by bowling him with the next ball, Smith departing having struck 10 boundaries and three sixes in a memorable innings that earned him the man of the match award. "I enjoyed the freedom, having the backing of the team to go out and play that way," Smith said. "It's not always going to go well. It's a fine balance between being positive, not reckless." Duckett was almost a slouch in comparison, reaching his half century in 34 balls before being caught by Evin Lewis off the bowling of Roston Chase. England were romping along at more than 10 an over with their 150 coming up in the 14th over before Root and Brook kept the scoreboard ticking in more leisurely fashion with the outcome already a foregone conclusion. Root, who made 57 in the first match in Edgbaston and a magnificent 166 not out in Cardiff, was out top-edging Alzarri Joseph to his namesake Shamar Joseph at deep fine leg. After a brief lull, Butler then put the gloss on England's day with an entertaining 20-ball cameo. Put in after losing the toss, West Indies stumbled to 28-3 with skipper Shai Hope out first ball but Keacy Carty and Sherfane Rutherford fought back to move them to 82-3. Rain then forced a two-hour delay and reduced the match to a 40-over per side contest and on the resumption Adil Rashid bowled Carty, removed Justin Greaves for 12 and then Roston Chase first ball to leave West Indies reeling on 121-6. But Rutherford made 70, including nine fours and two sixes, before being flicking a shortish Brydon Carse to mid-wicket where he was brilliantly caught by the diving Brook. A belligerent 63 from the impressive Motie in a swashbuckling 91-run partnership with Alzarri Joseph (41) helped West Indies to a total that at least looked competitive. But the total proved wholly inadequate as England laid down a marker for a new era under Brook.
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Scoop
First-ever Global Shipping Emissions Levy Approved, But Pacific Push For Stronger Deal Fails
But a Pacific push for stronger deal failed at the International Maritime Organisation meeting in Londom last companies will soon have to pay for carbon emissions produced by its vessels for the first time, but the new deal agreed by the global maritime watchdog is still significantly lower than what was demanded by Pacific Island nations. The shipping emissions framework was finalised by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) at its meeting last month in London. While it is yet to be ratified, a formal vote in October on its adoption is expected to be successful. The IMO is the UN agency responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships in international waters. Once implemented, the proposed global emissions scheme would subject ships to a charge on their greenhouse gas emissions. After a certain threshold, that charge is increased, as set out by the finalised framework. Ships would also have the ability to trade carbon credits under the scheme. Overall, the scheme is expected to generate about US$10 billion a year – a fraction of the $60b a year Pacific and Caribbean nations wanted in their own carbon levy pitch for the framework. UCL Energy Institute's Dr Tristan Smith, a professor of energy and transport, told RNZ Nine to Noon that, while agreement on a global emissions scheme is significant and likely a world-first, it could have been more robust. 'In climate terms, and as a scientist, it's always frustrating because you know what needs to be done in order to keep us on the temperature goals that we've talked about in the Paris agreement,' he said. However, achieving that in practice, he said, 'is always incredibly difficult because of the politics of climate negotiations'. 'We also had a particularly difficult time this year with the geopolitical situation, referring to the fact that the Trump administration has taken a strong anti-climate stance, which put the US in a very different position to how they were in previous administrations, and changed the dynamics of the IMO a bit.' Membership of the IMO includes 176 states and more than 150 intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations. Dr Smith said the end result of negotiations between various member parties on the proposed scheme resulted in a significantly lower carbon price for shipping emissions than what he believed was needed. 'In the final package, we've got about a $15 per ton of greenhouse gas emitted price that's coming in, and we thought that we needed somewhere between 100 and $150. 'It's a significant reduction, but it still exists and it's still a global agreement, which I believe makes it the first global carbon price.' As recently as February, Pacific nations had proposed a more ambitious global shipping emissions scheme. Not only had the agreed IMO framework failed to meet that, it had also failed in achieving the IMO's own greenhouse gas strategy which it revised in 2023. Smith said Pacific nations wanted a much tougher scheme to effectively drive the transition of the shipping sector to a low carbon model by charging higher costs for greenhouse gas emitters. 'Their vision was to have this transition of the shipping sector driven by a carbon levy – a universal price on greenhouse gas emissions that charged for every ton of greenhouse gas emissions about $150. 'Then coupling that with a mandate that reinforced the fact that this was going to be driven by stringent regulation [like] a hard fine or a penalty if you weren't reducing your emissions and driving a very steep reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, reaching nearly full decarbonisation by 2040.' Dr Smith said that 'steepness' in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and 'power' through a heavy levy was missing. He said that in turn had effectively hampered the rate at which decarbonisation of the shipping industry would likely occur. 'Because we could really subsidise some of the very expensive, or currently very expensive solutions…at the early stage of decarbonisation and really enable companies to have the confidence to invest in scale. 'But also use significant amounts of revenue to help low income countries, not just [small island developing states and least developed countries] like the Pacific island states, but also middle income countries, low income countries, which will need support as we go through the transition.' He said these countries would need assistance to modernise and shift their their own shipping industries to a low-carbon model. The cost of doing that, as well as the economic impacts of increasing transport prices, must be factored in, he added. The finalised framework, which needs two-thirds of the IMO membership vote in October to be ratified, would cover all ships bigger than 5000 gross tons, such as largo cargo ships, in international waters if implemented. Dr Smith believes that eventually it would also cover ships smaller than 5000 gross tons. At that point, all vessels that trade internationally would be captured by the shipping emissions scheme. 'It doesn't drive or change what national governments do with domestically operated ships. So coastal vessels servicing the coast of New Zealand, or ferries within New Zealand wouldn't be affected by this regulation. That's down to the national government to decide what to do,' he said. 'In some ways though, that exactly illustrates why it's such a significant agreement, because it's the missing emissions in international waters that no one was counting that are now, at least in a framework here.' Dr Smith expectes the October vote on the final framework to be successful, despite previous opposition from several larger nations like Saudi Arabia, China, and Brazil. Following that, the scheme was set to be fully implemented in 2027. The UN said that timeframe would give 'the industry time to adapt to new requirements and invest in alternative fuels and technologies'.
