That time we got to Zoom with a Member of Parliament

If you hadn’t already got the memo, SADD is all about giving young people a platform and a voice and we are really passionate about building young leaders! Our National Leadership Programme is something that we use to intentionally develop a smaller group of year 12s and 13s who apply to be a part of the programme. Last week our National Leaders had the opportunity to sit down (on Zoom) with Julie Anne Genter, the Associate Minister for Transport, and have a bit of a kōrero with her. 

It is not every day that you get to chat with politicians, and it isn’t every day that you get to meet with someone who works very high up in a field that you care about and are trying to make a difference in. Each of our National Leaders that came along to the meeting had a chance to share. Some of them talked about why they got involved with SADD and why they were passionate about road safety, others shared things they had learnt whilst being involved with SADD, projects they were working on, and specific things they were interested in. 

Our SADD staff team just sat back and took it all in. This meeting was all about our young leaders getting space to talk and share. We were just there to listen and we left feeling extremely inspired. From a staff perspective it isn’t every day that you get to sit back and hear passionate young leaders get to share with a politician. 

A few of the National Leaders asked some specific questions too. Things like the impacts that legalising cannabis would have on road safety, overcrowding on school buses and the high prices for passengers, whether the Government has any concerns or plans around teen driving and the licensing process, and what initiatives or campaigns are currently active that specifically target Maori, in terms of road safety?

It was great to see Minister Genter take these questions seriously, we hope that politicians can make it a priority to give young people the chance to share their thoughts and questions. You all have some amazing things to share and such value to offer, so please never stop speaking up for things you care about. 

We know that it isn’t just our National Leaders that are doing amazing stuff on the ground, and who are passionate and making a difference, there are hundreds of you all around NZ. We are so proud of you all, and stoked to see and hear about the work you are doing!