One of the select committee topics for the 121 youth MPs, who will temporarily take over Parliament, asks if New Zealand’s primary production industry can afford to be free range.

Sixteen year-old Emily McCarthy represents the Bay of Plenty for National MP Tony Ryall and likes the topic because it involves her interests: animal welfare and economics.

"Not only can New Zealand afford to be free range; it can’t afford not to be free range."

The Tauranga Girls’ College student believes there is an increasing global demand for ethically produced products.

"Businesses involved in primary production need to recognise this trend and adapt accordingly as it will lead to increased sales and profits overall, despite the fact that free range farming may cost incrementally more than methods such as caged chicken and pig farming."

Youth Parliament was established in 1994 and happens every three years to give youth MPs an insight into how New Zealand’s democracy system works.

Part of the experience entails debating a mock bill, which this year is the Electoral Reform Bill.

An area of reform includes reducing the voting age to 17-years-old.

McCarthy says the youth in her community will have varying opinions on the issue.

"Some people feel that voting is too great a responsibility for a 17-year-old, while others believe that it is a due recognition of their maturity and intellectual capacity," she said.