There are millions of reasons to vote, but here’s the most simple; politicians will only address young people’s needs and ideas when we get out and place our votes. We are voters and we can make the rules!
Young people today have the opportunity to create the world they want to live in by actively taking part in politics and stepping forward this election to vote.
We know the New Zealand we want is one that offers abundance, a clean green environment, a place where there are jobs for all, a safe place, a place that offers good education for all people and a home we can be proud of.
We can make a difference this election. So let’s stand together and be voters!
Young people (classified here as those under 30) make up 20 per cent of the voting population, or two in every ten adults. Yet less than half of us vote in general elections. Less in local elections, and even less are actually in Parliament with under-30s making up just 2 per cent of MPs while more than half of our politicians are baby boomers.
This isn't because 'young people are apathetic' as a lot of lazy and condescending commentary would have you believe. It's because when it comes to the political process, young people have been cast to the side.
Young people today have the opportunity to create the world they want to live in by actively taking part in politics and stepping forward this election to vote.
We know the New Zealand we want is one that offers abundance, a clean green environment, a place where there are jobs for all, a safe place, a place that offers good education for all people and a home we can be proud of.
We can make a difference this election. So let’s stand together and be voters!
Young people (classified here as those under 30) make up 20 per cent of the voting population, or two in every ten adults. Yet less than half of us vote in general elections. Less in local elections, and even less are actually in Parliament with under-30s making up just 2 per cent of MPs while more than half of our politicians are baby boomers.
This isn't because 'young people are apathetic' as a lot of lazy and condescending commentary would have you believe. It's because when it comes to the political process, young people have been cast to the side.
Here's what happens:
And when politicians do attempt to reach out to young people it's done in a way that assumes we are all the same.
Of the approximately half a million under-30s, the ones least likely to vote are of Māori, Pasifika or Asian descent. People who recently migrated here are less likely to vote, as are those with a low level of income or education. Same goes for young people who live in rural parts of New Zealand.
In short, if you are part of a group that is already marginalised economically and socially, you’re likely to be marginalised politically too.
There are a bunch of other well-researched and well-articulated reasons that young people don't vote, and the problem is not unique to New Zealand. But that's the problem we're committing ourselves to solve: putting young people's ideas, issues and vision on New Zealand's political agenda.
We see voting as a gateway drug to deeper political engagement, and believe that by building a powerful and diverse bloc of young voters, we can tip the balance of political power toward young people.
Of the approximately half a million under-30s, the ones least likely to vote are of Māori, Pasifika or Asian descent. People who recently migrated here are less likely to vote, as are those with a low level of income or education. Same goes for young people who live in rural parts of New Zealand.
In short, if you are part of a group that is already marginalised economically and socially, you’re likely to be marginalised politically too.
There are a bunch of other well-researched and well-articulated reasons that young people don't vote, and the problem is not unique to New Zealand. But that's the problem we're committing ourselves to solve: putting young people's ideas, issues and vision on New Zealand's political agenda.
We see voting as a gateway drug to deeper political engagement, and believe that by building a powerful and diverse bloc of young voters, we can tip the balance of political power toward young people.
