Make It 16

Pledge to support Make It 16 via the link in our bio 🔥

Thank you @wgtncc and big ups to @wlgyouthcouncil for speaking today too! Let’s keep pushing for more support for lowering the voting age! 🔥

KEEN TO VOLUNTEER WITH MAKE IT 16? ESPECIALLY IN WELLINGTON? wellll head to the link in our bio for more information!

Pledge to support lowering the voting age via the link in our bio 🧡

Did you know that nearly half of young people aged 18-24 haven’t enrolled to vote? Enrol NOW and read this interview of our Co-director Jamin to learn more 🧡

📣CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS📣 🔥 Do you have a passion for Making it 16? 🔥 Do you want to volunteer with us now? CLICK THE LINK IN BIO TODAY!!!

Lowering the voting age for local elections makes sense. It gives young people the opportunity to vote for the first time while they’re still at school and part of a stable community they know and care about. Right now, many people cast their first vote between 18 and 20 years old—often after leaving school, moving cities, or starting work or study in a new place. They may feel less connected to their new community and less motivated to participate in local elections. On top of that, they may have forgotten what they learned about voting, as civics education in Aotearoa generally only goes up to year 10—when most students are around 16 years old. Allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote means they can take part while they’re still engaged in civics education. It makes learning about democracy practical and meaningful, empowering students to put their knowledge into action and make informed decisions about their communities. Read att the reasons to make it 16 at the link in our bio!

New year, same kaupapa 🧡 Young people are already engaged, informed, and impacted by political decisions. We live with the consequences of government choices on education, mental health, climate change, and the economy, yet 16 and 17-year-olds are denied the most direct way to have a say…. If policies affect our lives and futures, our voices deserve to count. Make the pledge to support lowering the voting age 🗳️ 🎥 creds to the legend himself, @ngamihiryan

In 2022, a bill to lower the voting age to 16 for local elections was introduced to Parliament, following a Supreme Court ruling that the current voting age of 18 is unjustified age discrimination. The bill passed its first reading and moved to select committee, where hundreds of young people took the time to share thoughtful, personal submissions about why this change matters. After the election and change of government, the bill was dropped in 2024. More than 700 submissions from young people were never read. That decision didn’t erase our momentum, rather it exposed how much it exists. There was national attention, political backing, and a growing movement ready to be taken seriously. This work isn’t over. The case has been made, the groundwork is there, and the next bill must go further. Young people deserve more than being consulted after decisions are made. Our voices should count at the ballot box. This is the final post in our 16 Reasons to Make It 16 series. If you’ve missed any, you can read them all through the link in our bio or scroll back through our previous posts. We’ve pulled all 16 reasons into one clear, shareable resource for anyone who wants the full picture. What do you want to see next from us? Let us know in the comments, or send us a DM. lower voting age, voting at 16, youth voting, youth democracy, voter turnout, civic engagement, political participation, youth voice, youth power, representation, inclusion, democratic rights, age discrimination, bill of rights, supreme court ruling, parliament, local elections, national elections, policy change, political reform, law reform, decision-making, public policy, social justice, equity, fairness, participation, young people, rangatahi, teenagers, students, youth leadership, youth advocacy, youth movements, youth organising, activism, grassroots, community power, future generations, political accountability, democratic systems, civic education, political literacy, informed voting, engagement, Aotearoa, New Zealand

Young people are already active members of society. They work, pay taxes, volunteer, care for whānau, and contribute to their communities in countless ways. Many are also deeply engaged in social and political issues, from climate action to mental health. Yet they are denied a say in who represents them and how decisions are made. Excluding young people from voting silences their voices in the decision-making process. It sends the message that their views don’t matter, even though the choices made today will directly impact their futures. Lowering the voting age gives young people the power to choose leaders who will listen, represent their needs, and take action on the issues that matter most to them. If we believe in fairness, equal rights, and representation for all, we can’t continue to shut young people out. It’s time to recognise their right to vote. Want to know all the reasons to lower the voting age? We've compiled all '16 Reasons to Make It 16' into a resource, link in bio!! _______ lower voting age, voter, turnout, policy, politics, politician, democracy, new zealand, parliament, decision, population, engagement, voting, representation, inclusion, youth voice, heard, young, teenager

It just makes sense 🤷‍♀️ - lower voting age, voter, turnout, policy, politics, politician, democracy, new zealand, parliament, decision, population, engagement, voting, representation, inclusion, youth voice, heard, young, teenager

Lowering the voting age for local elections makes sense. It gives young people the opportunity to vote for the first time while they’re still at school and part of a stable community they know and care about. Right now, many people cast their first vote between 18 and 20 years old—often after leaving school, moving cities, or starting work or study in a new place. They may feel less connected to their new community and less motivated to participate in local elections. On top of that, they may have forgotten what they learned about voting, as civics education in Aotearoa generally only goes up to year 10—when most students are around 16 years old. Allowing 16 and 17-year-olds to vote means they can take part while they’re still engaged in civics education. It makes learning about democracy practical and meaningful, empowering students to put their knowledge into action and make informed decisions about their communities. Want to know all the reasons to lower the voting age? We've compiled all '16 Reasons to Make It 16' into a resource, link in bio!! _______ lower voting age, voter, turnout, policy, politics, politician, democracy, new zealand, parliament, decision, population, engagement, voting, representation, inclusion, youth voice, heard, young, teenager