World’s junior Green MP unfazed
When the new intake of MPS arrived at Parliament yesterday, Green freshman Chloe Swarbrick was the youngest by a long way.
In fact, the 23-year-old will be New Zealand’s youngest MP in more than 40 years, and apparently the youngest Green MP in the world.
It is a novelty that she gets but Swarbrick is not daunted by her new role and is also keen to be seen that way – an understandable position when many do seem ready to hold her age against her.
‘‘It actually feels incredible to be part of a global Green Party movement to be honest; about putting people and the planet first. That was the first thing that came to mind – not necessarily the age thing. I get it’s a novelty.’’
Swarbrick approached her first day in Parliament yesterday undaunted.
‘‘I guess it is only as daunting as all the other things I’ve ever approached. I’ve spent the last few years doing a whole range of different things from starting up a number of different businesses and that’s led to me negotiating with people twice, thrice my age.
‘‘And obviously running for the mayoralty before running for this campaign. I think essentially the role of a politician is to be essentially a representative for people and that’s essentially what I’ve been trying to do,’’ she said.
Also sitting in Parliament will be 72-year-old NZ First leader Winston Peters.
Swarbrick has briefly met him but is unfazed by the man.
‘‘I’m not necessarily apprehensive about working with anybody. I think that the whole point about Parliament is that you’ve got everybody in there who has been elected by New Zealanders.
‘‘So everybody ultimately, I believe, wants a better version of New Zealand. We just all have different gameplans about how to get there and what that looks like.’’
Swarbrick said day one was about getting the lay of the land as quickly as possible – ‘‘finding where the toilets are’’ – so she can get down to work.
‘‘Nobody knows what’s going to happen at this point. I’m here to roll with the punches in the same way that we have throughout the campaign.
‘‘And obviously take the advice of all the incredible returning MPS that we’ve got in the Greens caucus. But also report back to our membership and seek their advice too,’’ she said.
‘‘The major motivator and catalyst for me becoming involved in politics was democratic participation.
‘‘It was always about trying to have more people engaged in politics from the get-go.
‘‘A major issue right now is that a lot of people don’t necessarily trust politicians, which I think politicians over the last few decades kind of have to take responsibility for.
‘‘When you don’t trust politicians you don’t vote, so then they’re not accountable to you.’’
Swarbrick said she became aware early in the campaign that many people had little idea about what MPS did with their days.
It’s something she wants to break down and communicate – using social media – to open Parliament up to New Zealanders.