In the 2017 elections, only 77.8 per cent of those aged 40-44 voted. That age group would be very daring to suggest those aged 16 would not be capable of exercising their democratic right and participating in deciding how we should be governed.
Having the vote at age 16 would certainly get politicians and candidates thinking about what is important to future generations.
At the moment they can dismiss the influence of children and young people, because they cannot vote.
The balance is tilted in favour of the older generation, especially those heading towards or already receiving their state pension.
This group make up a valuable segment of the voting population and are of great interest to political parties of all stripes.
Even Winston Peters, on a ministerial salary, gets his pension payment, which is essentially a benefit for the over 65s (and Winston was apparently overpaid until it came to his attention).
Many of those in the older age group, including politicians, would resist any lowering of the voting age, worried that the balance of influence might shift if those aged 16 could vote.
New Zealand law sets out the ages at which young people can do things.
At age 16 people can marry or celebrate a civil union with parental or court approval.
They can work fulltime but cannot vote until two years later.
A critical age marker - in terms of responsibility - is set by the law which states that young people can consent to sex at age 16.
This is a major step in a young life, and the law clearly feels that age 16 draws a line between giving legal protection to young people while recognising that there is a time when they will make these decisions.
So why not give them the vote? Voting is so unlike deciding about sex - and it is certainly not as interesting.
In fact, politics and politicians would be considered by most people across all age groups to be incredibly boring by comparison with sex.
If we accept 16 marks the development of responsibility for many major life decisions, then there is no reason not to lower the voting age to 16.
Young people are quite capable of engaging with politics.
Often it is those in their late teens or early 20s who are speaking out, leading activism and advocating for social change.
It is a time when notions of fairness and social equity are very robust.
It is a time when childhood is not too far behind and the future is right in front of them and the energy and drive to strive for change presents as a challenge to be accepted.
Giving 16-year-olds the vote would bring more of that energy into politics and remind politicians that the voices of young people need to be heard.
■Terry Sarten (aka Tel) is a writer, social worker and musician - feedback: tgs@inspire.net.nz
