Media release: Victoria University wins 2017 Next Generation Debates
Labour’s Grant Robertson and National’s Nicola Willis witnessed an animated debate about paying down debt
Timing could not have been better when teams from the universities of Auckland and Wellington debated New Zealand’s debt strategy.
Hours after the Government released its Pre-Election Economic and Fiscal Update, The New Zealand Initiative held the Grand Final of its Next Generation Debates. Its moot: “This House believes that paying down debt should be the government’s priority as tax revenues increase.”
In front of an audience of over 120 people, the debate revolved around projected budget surpluses. Should there be tax cuts, more spending – or should New Zealand pay down its debt?
Labour’s finance spokesperson Grant Robertson and National’s candidate for Wellington Central Nicola Willis provided commentary. The high quality of the debate impressed both politicians.
Said Nicola Willis: “The Next Generation debates do a fantastic job. They provoke public engagement on issues that matter. And they cultivate a new generation of debating talent."
Victoria University’s Ailidh Leslie and Liam Dennis won the night. Liam Dennis also won the Best Speaker award.
Liam Dennis: “It was an honour to speak at the event. We had a supportive and receptive crowd. And we faced a high-quality team from Auckland. Winning was the icing on the cake. I thank The New Zealand Initiative for putting on what has been an enjoyable series of events.”
The adjudicators praised the Wellington team's wit and clarity. Their debating style made complex fiscal policy issues accessible and even fun.
Encourage young people
The New Zealand Initiative's Next Generation Debates are an annual national debating tournament. Supported by the Friedlander Foundation, they promote debate on New Zealand's policy challenges. Participating universities are Auckland, Canterbury, Otago and Wellington.
There are cash prizes for the winning team ($1,000), the runner-up ($500) and the best speaker ($500).
The moots are made for a good debate and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Initiative. Adjudicators are independent from the Initiative.
For further information, please contact:
Linda Heerink, Communications Officer
The New Zealand Initiative
Phone: +64 4 494 9109
Mobile: +64 21 172 8036
Email: linda.heerink@nzinitiative.org.nz
Photo caption:
From left to right: Ailidh Leslie and Liam Dennis (Victoria University), Nicola Willis, Grant Robertson, James Penn and Kayla Grant (University of Auckland)
