Sometimes those with the least experience give the best answers.

The first proper question in the Youth Wings 2023 debate was a call for raised hands from any of the young leaders wanting to be an MP one day. No one raised their hand, including Ollie Murphy and Keegan Langeveld, who are on the Act and NZ First party lists respectively.

Which is a large part of the appeal of the Youth Wing leaders. Young people who are genuinely passionate about politics and the future of this country, without an immediate ambition for a position of political power. And so it was that Murphy (Young Act), Langeveld (Young NZ First), Dallas Kete (Young National), Jas McIntosh (Young Labour), Lily Chen and Ryan Blackmore (Young Greens) joined moderator Toby Manhire in the concert chamber of the Auckland Town Hall to debate the issues of today, from the cost of living to co-governance to boot camps to the voting age.

With perspectives heard from every major party (Te Pāti Māori does not have a Youth Wing in 2023), and more genuine debating than the first leaders’ debate between Chris Hipkins and Christopher Luxon, the Youth Wings debate may just be the one to watch this election season.

Watch every episodes of Youth Wings here. Made with support from NZ On Air.