Applications are now open for Rito o te Pāremata 2026

We are now open for applications from rangatahi aged 16–20 wanting to join the 2026 Rito o te Pāremata group! We are seeking to recruit four new members (teina) and two returning members (tuakana).  

Mō te tūnga | About the role: 

As a member of Rito o te Pāremata, you’ll work with five other young people on a project of your choice, with the aim of increasing youth engagement with Parliament. This project could be anything that the group chooses, which helps young people understand and participate in democracy.   

Take a look at what past Rito groups have done: 

• This year, in 2025, Rito created a youth-friendly resource on how to petition Parliament.  
• In 2024, Rito shared infographics and reels on their Instagram to teach young people more about Parliament. 
• In 2023, Rito created a poster that went up across New Zealand to encourage young people to have their say in our democracy. 
• In 2022, Rito launched an Instagram account to share content with the goal of removing misconceptions about Parliament. 
• In 2021, the group created Rarapa, a four-part video series that shines a light on the different ways New Zealand rangatahi can engage with Parliament.  

You’ll get to engage with people who work at Parliament to learn more about the mahi that goes on behind the scenes. You could get the opportunity to discuss and give feedback on things like the Parliament website, our social media channels, or parts of the select committee submission process. Returning members and members based in Wellington may also be offered additional opportunities to attend or speak at conferences and events.  

This is a paid opportunity. You’ll receive the living wage on a casual contract and be expected to attend monthly meetings (in person and online). 

Duration: February 2026 – December 2026 (exact dates to be confirmed) 

More about Rito o te Pāremata 

Rito was established in 2021 with the aim of improving youth engagement with Parliament. ‘Rito’ is the name for the new shoots in harakeke flax. Harakeke grow rito from the middle of the plant, protected by the more mature leaves on either side. The rito eventually become the mature leaves taking care of the new shoots. Through Rito o te Pāremata (Parliament’s new shoots), Parliament wants to nurture and inspire future voters. The name ‘Rito’ was chosen to symbolise the envisioned life cycle of the group – existing members nurturing new ones. 

Tō kete | What you will bring to the role:  

We welcome your application if:  

• You will be 16–20 years old as at 1 February 2026.  
• You live in New Zealand and plan to live here throughout 2026.  
• You can travel to Wellington (all travel costs to and from Wellington will be covered). 

Some of the key skills we’re looking for: 

• Good communication skills 
• Ability to work well in a team  
• Enthusiasm  
• Ability to demonstrate political neutrality when representing Rito o te Pāremata 

You don’t need to have held any leadership positions or have any previous knowledge of Parliament to apply! We’d love to hear from anyone who is interested. 

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply? 

Our application is a three-step process: 

1. Click on the “Apply, I’m interested” button and create your profile. 
2. Answer the questions on our application form. 
3. Attach your Rito 2026 “cover letter” (required).  

In your “cover letter”, tell us about yourself and select two of the prompts below to answer:  

• Tell us about a time you made a difference to whānau, friends, or people in your community. 
• Why do you think it’s important for young people to know about Parliament and how it works?  
• What do you think the biggest barrier to engaging with Parliament is?  

You can answer the prompts in any format you would like! For example, you could: 

• Create a slideshow 
• Write a blog 
• Make a short video  
• Send us a written response  
• Perform a song 
• Create a website 
• Make some mock social media posts or reels 
• Write a poem or short story 

Please note: If you would like to submit a video or audio file (or other relevant samples of your work or portfolio that is not in a Word, PDF or PowerPoint format), please include a link as part of your cover letter document. Feel free to contact the team by email rito@parliament.govt.nz should you have any questions or issues with this step. 

There is no right or wrong way to apply. We’re interested in how you answer the prompts, rather than the format you choose. If you have any support or accessibility requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process. 

Please note that applications close at 11.59pm Wednesday, 3 December 2025.  

Me he pātai anō | For further enquiries, or to arrange a confidential kōrero, please contact the team by email rito@parliament.govt.nz 

Please note: We will be screening applications as we receive them to move swiftly to interview shortly after the advert closes. Depending on application numbers, this date may change. You may be asked to complete a pre-interview screen via phone or video.