Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, August 11, 2023
New Zealand is a nation known for its commitment to democracy and civic participation. At the heart of this vibrant democratic culture lies the involvement of young people in elections. Youth, typically defined as those between 18 and 29 years old, constitute a significant portion of the population and possess the power to shape the nation’s future. The importance of youth in elections, the challenges they face, and the initiatives aimed at increasing their political engagement in New Zealand are often understated or overlooked.
The issues that matter most to young voters, such as education, employment, climate change, and social justice, have a significant impact on the direction of our nation. Their votes can influence the priorities of elected officials and shape policies that directly affect their lives and the lives of future generations.
Youth and Elections
Inclusive representation is essential for a healthy democracy. When young people engage in elections, they contribute to a diverse pool of voices, fostering a more representative government.
Young people face unique challenges related to education, employment, mental health, and housing. By voting, they have the opportunity to influence policies that directly impact their lives and those of their peers.
The issues that matter most to young voters often align with long-term challenges such as climate change, environmental sustainability, and social justice. Their voting patterns can influence political parties to prioritise these pressing concerns.
Political engagement challenges
Despite the significance of youth in the electoral process, several challenges hinder their political engagement. A lack of interest or disillusionment with politics leads some young people to disengage from the electoral process. Historically, youth voter turnout in New Zealand has been lower than other age groups, partly due to barriers in the voter registration process and limited accessibility to polling stations.
Many young people feel ill-informed about the political system and the parties’ policies, leading to hesitation in casting their votes.
In 2019, researchers from four universities surveyed nearly 8,000 13 to 18-year-old students in schools across Auckland, Northland, and Waikato. The survey, named ‘Youth 19’ was part of the Youth 2000 series of surveys and it found that 81.4% of those aged 17 or older were enrolled to cast their votes.
Intention to enrol young people differed across ethnic identities. Pakeha/European youth report greater enrolment intention than other ethnic groups, suggesting current strategies to recruit Māori, Pacific and Asian youth are inadequate.
For students who did not plan to enrol, the most common reasons were not being interested in politics (58.9%) and feeling like they did not know enough about politics (26.6%) or how to enrol (14.4%).
Encouraging participation
Various youth-led organisations target young voters through creative campaigns, workshops, and social media platforms to encourage voter registration and political awareness.
Encouraging young people to run for office at the local and national levels fosters political representation that resonates with the youth population and can be an encouraging factor to get more involvement from the youth.
Several success stories exemplify the impact of youth engagement in New Zealand, like the 2019 general election witnessed an increase in youth voter turnout, with approximately 70% of registered voters aged 18-29 casting their ballots. This surge in participation showcased the growing interest and political awareness among young people.
New Zealand educational institutions do a good job of emphasising civic and political education. Most New Zealand political parties are in critical universities, including ACT Party.
ACT party candidate from Hamilton East, Himanshu Parmar elaborated on its significance in an interaction with Indian Newslink. He said, “The significance of youth politics lies in their ability to introduce fresh ideas and energy into the political landscape. Their fresh ideas are essential to address modern challenges effectively. Youth are closer to newer technology and how it benefits or impacts future outcomes.
More youth engagement in politics ensures a more inclusive democracy by giving representation to this crucial demographic. Without youth participation, a substantial portion of the population remains unheard of and their concerns unaddressed. Involving the youth cultivates a sense of belonging and creates greater awareness of public affairs.”
Tama Potaka, a member of parliament and National Party’s candidate from Hamilton West passionately shared his views on the matter with Indian Newslink. He highlighted the need for engagement and conversations with young voters across the country. “The value of youth votes in our great nation cannot be understated. I believe that involving our youth in the election process is essential to ensure a robust and diverse democracy. To increase youth involvement in the election process, we need to focus on engagement. Encouraging open discussions about politics, policies, and the impact of government decisions can empower our young citizens to become informed voters.”
Mr Potaka shared some positive steps forward regarding more active youth involvement and said, “We should explore innovative ways to connect with our youth where they are- online platforms, social media, and community events. Promoting collaboration between experienced politicians and young aspiring leaders and their whānau can also bridge the generation gap. When our youth see their concerns being taken seriously and addressed by those in power, they are more likely to engage in the election process.”
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
