Pankhuri Bedekar –
Earlier this month, I had the good fortune of visiting the New Zealand Parliament in Wellington, thanks to National List MP and Chairperson, Law & Order Select Committee Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi.
Upon arrival at the Wellington Airport, my mother and I were driven to the Beehive where I met a few Ministers to understand how they influence our community.
I also spoke to them about my future goals.
I was privileged to meet Police and Corrections Minister Judith Collins. Although brief, the meeting was useful since I am looking at a career with the New Zealand Police or the New Zealand Defence Force.
Another aspect of the trip that I enjoyed was sitting through the Question Time in the Debating Chamber of Parliament. Here I witnessed members of Parliament asking Ministers and other MP oral questions.
I listened to different perspectives on issues. This had a great influence on me as I had the opportunity to hear two different views and analyse decisions to be made in the future to better our community.
I was also given the chance to tour the Parliament Building and see how laws are created in New Zealand and the process these go through from starting as a bill and progressing through the House of Representatives, the Select Committee, the Parliament and finally signed by the Governor General to make it an Act.
I am grateful to Mr Bakshi for his generosity and the opportunity to visit Parliament.
It is rare for students of my age to have such an experience. Without help from him and his Assistant Apoorva Chandra Shekhar, this would not have been possible.
Pankhuri Bedekar is Year 12 student at Diocesan School for Girls.
