Member of Parliament
Tasks & duties
Members of Parliament may do some or all of the following:
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listen to and act on behalf of individuals or groups
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attend sittings of parliament
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study reports, proposals, complaints and petitions
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present, debate and vote on new laws and changes to existing ones
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sit on select committees to look at bills before they become law
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attend meetings and public events
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make speeches and give interviews to journalists
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be in charge of a ministry or government department
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work with various departments, ministries and ministers to develop policy
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hold a managerial or administrative position in parliament such as junior or senior whip (the person who manages a party's Members of Parliament)
Skills & knowledge
Members of Parliament need to have:
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knowledge of political, economic, social and cultural aspects of New Zealand life
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knowledge of the region they are representing
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knowledge of official parliamentary procedures
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excellent communication and listening skills
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public speaking and debating skills
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decision-making ability
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planning and organisational skills
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negotiating skills
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skill in interpreting and evaluating information
Entry requirements
To become a Member of Parliament you must be a New Zealand citizen and at least 18 years of age. You must also be registered in an electorate and voted in by the electorate or through inclusion on a party list.
Tertiary education
There are no specific tertiary educational requirements, but a tertiary qualification in law, public policy or economics may be useful.
Training on the job
Skills are gained on the job.
Useful experience
Work as a local government representative, a union official or delegate, or work for a political party or pressure group is useful for becoming a Member of Parliament. Any work in economics, law, education or another specialist field, such as health or social work, is also useful.
Related courses
Policy Studies
Political Science
For more information, please refer to Career Services.
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