This week I met with some forward-thinking students at Otumoetai College, in an effort to encourage more participation in our democracy. These young electors asked some tough questions, and, yes, there were a couple of good-humoured and respectful disagreements as well.
They have instigated political discourse among themselves, after realisingthat decisions being made at Local and Central Government levels, will have a direct impact on their futures. Wouldn't it be great if every school child looked forward to their 18th birthday, as marking the beginning of making their political voices heard, rather than - for some - simply their first legal opportunity to buy cigarettes and alcohol?
These young voters are more evidence of the real need for Civics to be part of our education system. If we can dispel myths and clarify elements of the political process, it can only make it easier, and therefore more likely that keen young minds will become engaged in the governing of their own country.
Young people do care about the state of New Zealand. They've lived through successive red and blue governments, who have messed things up for them; They've seen their older siblings, cousins, and, in some cases even parents, held down by crippling tertiary education debt.
It was great being able to discuss New Zealand First's Upfront Investment in Education Policy. Learning they have a chance to gain a qualification without mortgaging their futures, in exchange for using it first in New Zealand, was very positively received.
I came away confident that, at the very least, they were preparing themselves to make informed political decisions. The more informed voters we have in New Zealand, the better off we New Zealanders will all be. Engaged young people won't allow themselves to become disenfranchised; They will be more likely to propose and pursue positive responses to future challenges; They will identify and create new opportunities, and we will all benefit.
It's our job to listen to, encourage, and invest in them developing their individual political voices to exercise.
