In the 2008 general election, 79 per cent of New Zealanders voted, and in 2011, only 74 per cent went to the polls. In 2008 election, 19 per cent of 18-24 year olds didn’t even enrol to vote, meaning about 78,000 young people didn’t participate in the election - nearly as many as all the other age groups combined. The Auditor General’s office says the figures suggest that voter turnout increases with age, possibly because older voters have more confidence in political institutions.
A paper by Josh Hercus for the New Zealand Political Studies Association says youth voter turnout has continued to decline for half a century, both in New Zealand and internationally. Hercus found a lack of information, a high degree of transience, and a negative perception of community, appeared to explain at least of some of the issue.
As the Wireless continues to explore knowledge, this week Di White looks at civics education, and asks whether that is the answer to getting more young people involved in the political process. She writes that “while some New Zealanders are thriving in civics education, and well on the way to becoming engaged, participating and active citizens, others are preparing instead for a life of disengagement and civic exclusion.”
A particular focus during election years… might also help build young people’s interest in voting and their understanding of the electoral system.
Parliament’s Inquiry Into the 2011 General Election recommended civics education should “have a long-term objective of making young people feel like active participants in democracy”. But it says “a particular focus during election years … might also help build young people’s interest in voting and their understanding of the electoral system.” However, some educators warn that schools can’t fix all of society’s ills. Radio New Zealand’s Insight looks at the policy focus on education, and asks if too much is being asked of the sector.
RNZ’s Chris Bramwell last year produced a three part series explaining parliament, looking at how laws are made, what goes on in the debating chamber, and what goes on behind the scenes.
The Wireless wants to know what issues you care about in an election year. Education? Health or finance? Cannabis reform or student loans or climate change or asset sales? Unemployment, treaty settlements, or beer pong? Email, Tweet, or let us know on Facebook.
This week, we’ll also look at science, what it is, how it works, and what happens when the media reports on it. Hamish Parkinson looks at the wisdom of the Old People’s Home. “I’ve been encouraged to live a life where I forge my own identity and ideas,” he writes. “So why should I, a 26-year-old who has just finished a master’s degree, be so headstrong as to think I couldn’t or shouldn’t learn from [my grandfather]?” We’re also looking at personality tests, the state of arts criticism in New Zealand, and we report from Webstock – the internet conference that is part design, part inspiration, part doge, and part motivational cat poster.
