Tauranga MP Simon Bridges is inviting senior secondary school students to compete in an essay competition about democracy.
Students from schools in his electorate are asked to write an essay of up to 1500 words on ‘young people and democracy'.
Tauranga MP Simon Bridges is hoping a student from his electorate will win a trip to Parliament.
From the entrants, a winner is chosen by a committee to receive both a prize from Simon and earn entry into a larger pool of contestants from around the country to win a trip to Parliament.
In Wellington, the winner will visit the Prime Minister's office, watch parliamentary debate and experience many other significant aspects of government.
The winner also receives a lunch at Bellamy's at Parliament and joins a discussion with the president and members of the Association of Former Members of Parliament, who are sponsoring the essay competition.
'This essay competition will be a great way for Tauranga students to learn about democracy and will also allow one fortunate student to directly experience New Zealand democracy up close and personal,” says Simon.
'I wish I had had this kind of opportunity when I was at school.
'I didn't visit Parliament until I was at university and I recall it was a real eye opener for me.
'I hope that a Tauranga student gets to have a special Parliament experience.”
Entry to the competition is handled through a student's school and essays must be at Simon's office by Monday, April11.
2 comments
First entry
Posted on 09-03-2011 23:33 | By al pillocksworth
Democracy is a system where everyone thinks they get a say. In reality the politicians ignore the wishes of the majority and kowtow to minority interests who really control the country. Democracy allows well meaning people to be elected by making promises. Immediately after election these people turn into jetsetters, travelling business class and for any reason, wining and dining at the best hotels, and all at our expense and for our good. If they start young and retire old they get jobs like Minister of Wine and Cheese and are called national treasures. Although they are supposed to be clever enough to run the country they can't get basic expense forms correct and accidentally charge for things like family holidays. They get huge accommodation and other allowances and often stuff those claims up too. When they retire or get the boot, no problem because a goldplated super scheme keeps them in the manner to which they have become accustomed. The worst of these products of democracy are complete hypocrites who rail against perks then promptly sign up to them all and more. I hope I win the competition coz I want to go to Parliament and compare the behaviour.
What a joke
Posted on 12-03-2011 11:13 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
What a JOKE this is! The child-molesters of the mind (ie government-run education system and curriculum) do not teach children that there is any alternative to the MAJORITY WINS system. They do not teach children that in a vote of 100 people 51 get to DESTROY the rights of 49 people. They teach them that MINORITIES have NO RIGHTS. They teach them that it is OK to gang up with likeminded people and BULLY under threat of FORCE and imprisonment - the minority. - THEN they have the temerity to run a campaign that BULLYING is BAD!!! Democracy is 2 wolves and 1 sheep voting on what to have for dinner! They teach that individuals HAVE NO RIGHTS! When we are ALL individuals. The result of this competition will be a disgrace - a true indication of the grip government have on the lives of our children and our country. If they taught that there is an alternative, people like Simon would not have a job. The winners get a LUNCH AT BELLAMYS so they can get an early induction into the life of a parasite (oops - I mean politician)
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