Possesing ''strong views'' on increasing the prominence of women in politics helped Kelly Stitely (17) nab a spot in the 2016 Youth Parliament.
''Kelly impressed as someone keen to see the representation of capable and principled women in Parliament advanced,'' Dunedin North MP Dr David Clark said.
Less than a third of MPs in the New Zealand Parliament are women and only 30% of Cabinet positions are held by women.
Dr Clark was also impressed with the Otago Girls' High School pupil's views on increasing the participation of young people.
Parliament's youngest MP, Todd Barclay (25), who represents Clutha-Southland, selected South Otago High School pupil Stephanie-Anne Ross (18), of Balclutha.
''I was looking for someone who is able to relate to their peers and wider community, and engage with them on a wide range of topics they could then bring to Parliament,'' he said in a statement.
Former Clutha-Southland MP Bill English, now a list MP, selected Kane Bassett (16), of Tokomairiro High School.
Other southern MPs - Waitaki, Jacqui Dean (National), Keryn Tubbs (17), of Dunstan High School; Dunedin South, Clare Curran (Labour), Hamish Duncan (16), of King's High School; Dunedin-based list MP, Metiria Turei (Greens), Katie Gotlieb, of Otago Girls' High School; Te Tai Tonga, Rino Tirikatene (Labour), Aimee-Chantelle Gough; Invercargill, Sarah Dowie (National), Thomas Callum Findlater.
Held every three years, the next Youth Parliament is on July 19 and 20, 2016. Youth MPs will debate legislation, sit on select committees and ask oral parliamentary questions of ministers
