The University of Auckland has won the Auckland semi-final of The New Zealand Initiative’s Next Generation Debates. They prevailed against a team from the University of Canterbury on the moot This House believes that New Zealand should lower its current migrant intake. David Seymour (ACT Party Leader) and Julie-Anne Genter (Green Party MP) commented on the debate in a panel session.

Said Julie-Anne Genter: “It is great to see engagement from young people in vital policy and political issues of our time. The Next Generation Debates are a great forum to test ideas and further discussion."

Important topic in politics
The winning team of the semi-final in Wellington consisted of James Penn and Kayla Grant of the University of Auckland. James Penn: “The semi-final was a great opportunity to debate against our friends from the South Island on the topic of immigration, a key and contentious issue in politics at the moment. It was great to have such a large and engaged audience as well as two influential politicians involved, particularly in an election year.”

“Kayla and I will spend the next week researching for the final, as well as testing out different lines of argument on each other and deciding on a strategy for the debate. No doubt the New Zealand Initiative will have published some papers on the topic too, so we’ll be seeking them out to maximise our chances of persuading the audience!”

Come along and listen to some of New Zealand’s top debaters battle it out in the Auckland semi-final of the 2017 Next Generation Debates with the moot This House believes that New Zealand should lower its current migrant intake. The debates will be followed by a panel discussion with ACT Party Leader, David Seymour and Green Party Spokesperson for Auckland Issues, Health, Transport and Youth, Julie-Anne Genter.

Date: Monday 14 August 2017
5.30 - 6.00pm   Arrival
6.00 - 7.20pm   Debate and Q&A with panelists
7.20 - 8.00pm   Drinks and nibbles

Location: Deloitte Centre, Level 17, 80 Queen Street