13 July 2016
Taupo District school children will be able to experience a voting process first-hand with a nationwide programme aiming to get kids excited about elections.
The Kids Voting initiative is designed for 11 to 15-year-old students (school years 7 to 10) and will be run in the lead up to October's local elections. The programme aims to give young people an understanding of the value and importance of local government and what it means to take part in a democratic process.
Students will get to discuss and consider key issues affecting their community and then vote for candidates who are standing. They will then be able to compare their results against the official election results once finalised.
Taupo District Council democracy and community engagement manager Tina Jakes said the programme was a great way to get students prepared for voting once they're old enough to take part. "Our young people are our voters of the future and Kids Voting will not only get them ready to vote when they reach 18-years-old, but will also get them excited about getting involved in elections," she said.
Taupo Intermediate School and Taupo-nui-a-Tia College have already signed up to get involved, making the Taupo District one of only two districts in New Zealand with more than one school already registered.
Schools that register for the programme are sent everything they need to deliver their Kids Voting election including a ballot box and voting papers. Teachers can download a Guide to Kids Voting and get further information on how to register their school from www.elections.org.nz/resources-learning/school-resources.
