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Nursing Student Looks Forward to Meeting New Zealand's Leaders

21 year-old Auckland nursing student, Emma Bradfield, is one of around 30 young adults who will meet Members of Parliament in Wellington this week. 

South African-born Emma, the third of six children in her family, now calls New Zealand home.

She and other young Latter-day Saints and Catholics will meet with several Members of Parliament in New Zealand's Parliament Building on Thursday.

Pacific Mormon Newsroom caught up with her recently to discuss what she hoped to get out of her visit to Wellington.

"I'd like to learn more about the way decisions are made for our country," she said. "This will be a great opportunity to see what our vote actually does, who helps make the decisions for our country and how they come to agree on what is best for New Zealanders."

She continued: "I’m really excited about this chance to learn more about the entire process. As a young adult that has only been able to vote in one election so far I’d like to know why I’m voting, understand a bit more about its importance and the influence my vote can have."

Emma says "the best part about this trip is that we are going down as youth of the LDS and Catholic churches. We have very similar views on the importance of education, family and freedom of religion. Being able to go to Wellington and show the Members of Parliament who we are, what our ideals are and where we want to help this country go, will give us all an opportunity to learn."

She feels that the biggest challenges facing the nation and its leaders are: "Being able to make decisions that are for the greater good of this country whilst taking into account the individual needs that are out there. Making decisions that are beneficial for everyone sounds like a huge task."

Emma believes that young New Zealanders have a lot to contribute to the country.

"There are so many young, talented and enthusiastic people who are precisely what New Zealand needs," she says.

"We need to start taking an interest in what is going on in New Zealand, what decisions are being made and putting our voice out there. The only way we can ensure New Zealand is everything we ever wanted it to be is by making sure people know what we envision for New Zealand."

"We need to get involved."

Emma's faith is a big part of the young student's life and identity.

"It's who I am," she says. "I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it. I can’t imagine having to face university, work, relationships and life without knowing that there is a God who loves us and is ready and willing to help us along each step of our journey here." 

Read more about the Latter-day Saint and Catholic young adults' visit to Parliament here.

Read about Latter-day Saints and interfaith relations.

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