Voting initiative for Years 7 -10 launched ahead of local elections
Encouraging knowledge of and engagement with the voting system is the aim of a youth voting initative aimed at 11-15 year olds, which has been launched this month.
The Ngā Pōti ā-Taiohi – Youth Voting initiative is for tamariki in school years 7 to 10, which replicates the local authority elections taking place across the motu, in their akomanga / classroom.
“Youth voting gives tamariki a chance to try out the election process by discussing what’s important to them, voting for candidates on real issues, and comparing their results against the official election results. Youth voting is designed to align with the civics education theme in the existing school curriculum,” said Te Kāhui Kaunihera ō Aotearoa | Local Government New Zealand on the announcement of the new programme.
How it works
Ngā Pōti ā-Taiohi – Youth Voting registrations are open here and registrations close on Friday 12 August 2022.
Youth voting will take place from Friday 16 September to Friday 30 September 2022.
Kaiako / teachers who register will be provided with the resources to plan and run an election in their akomanga.LGNZ will also include an updated Teacher’s Guide for 2022 and background information on how to contact local candidates and conduct local campaigns.
After registering digitally, you will receive voting packs from Friday 16 to Wednesday 21 September 2022 while NZ Post begins to deliver voting papers to households across the motu. This is approximately three weeks before polling day, on Saturday 8 October 2022.
Voting must be completed by the last day of term three, which is Friday 30 September 2022. Ballot boxes need to be sealed until they are opened on the first day of term four on Monday 17 October which is the day after provisional results from the elections will have been announced.
To find out more information about Ngā Pōti ā-Taiohi – Youth Voting 2022, please email [email protected]
Or more information about the programme can be found here: https://www.lgnz.co.nz/local-government-in-nz/local-elections/vote2022/youth-voting-2022/
