<h2>Registrations are now open for the Ngā Pōti ā-Taiohi/Youth Voting programme run by Auckland Council.</h2>
<p>The free initiative teaches students aged between 11 and 15 about local government and the importance of elections. Students will be able to vote in a mock election and compare the results to the official election outcome in October.</p>
<p>Northcote College head of social sciences, Graeme Ball, ran the programme in his Year 10 class in 2016.</p>
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<p>“The Youth Voting programme provides students with as close to a ‘real life’ experience of voting in a formal election as is possible.</p>
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<p>“It connects well to the work we do in the classroom on the importance of participation of citizens in their democracy.”</p>
<p>This year’s mock election will be held online and will include a referendum question about safe transportation around schools. Resource materials will be provided to schools that sign up for the programme and council staff will be available for classroom visits.</p>
<p>More than 11,700 students from 56 schools took part in Youth Voting in 2016.</p>
<p>Howick Youth Council chairperson, Jack Collins, 19, is encouraging schools to register: &#8220;A lot of young people have been saying for a long time that we should be encouraging more civics education in schools, so they feel more ready to take part once elections come around.</p>
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<p>“I think it&#8217;s great that the programme includes lessons about how local government works and how to participate in the council&#8217;s decision-making.”</p>
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<p>Papakura Youth Council deputy chairperson, Chhavi Breja, highly recommends the initiative: “Getting involved with voting and our country’s democracy early is important. Our futures literally depend on it.”</p>
<p>Auckland Council General Manager Democracy Services, Marguerite Delbet, says people who engage in politics at a young age form lifelong voting habits.</p>
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<p>“Youth Voting aims to inspire young people to become a force for positive change.</p>
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<p>“We hope the students will continue the election conversation at home with their whanau, encouraging them to get involved and vote in this year&#8217;s election.”</p>
<p>The official election will be held between Friday 20 September and Saturday 12 October.</p>
<p>The Ngā Pōti ā-Taiohi/Youth Voting programme runs from July to October. Registrations close on Monday 29 July. Schools can register online at <a href="http://aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/youthvoting" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/youthvoting</a></p>

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