Supplied Content
Wellington, March 17, 2018
A New Zealand Parliamentary delegation will learn more about the American political system next week during an eight-day exchange programme, Speaker Trevor Mallard has said.
The delegation comprises young Members of Parliament Chris Bishop, Tamati Coffey, Andrew Falloon, Erica Stanford, Chloe Swarbrick and Talani Meikle.
They will visit San Francisco, Sacramento, and Washington DC.
The exchange programme, from March 17 to March 25, 2018, is being coordinated and sponsored by the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL).
Important Opportunity
“The exchange provides an important opportunity for the delegates to gain more understanding of the democratic processes at both federal and state level in the United States,” he said.
Mr Mallard recounted his experience with the ACYPL in 1988 when he observed the 1988 George Bush (Republican)-Michael Dukakis (Democratic) election campaign, saying that ‘it was an invaluable experience.’
“I learnt more about the American electoral system and campaign techniques and made several contacts,” he said.
The last New Zealand delegation went to the USA in 2015.
An American delegation, mostly from state legislatures, visited New Zealand in 2016.
New Zealand Parliament Press Release
*
