Growing Active Citizens
Local Government New Zealand, together with a number of local and central government partners, has embarked on a long term project with the aim of "Growing Active Citizens".
Over many years, Councils and schools have developed their own resources to support growing active citizens in their communities. These resources aim to provide individuals with the knowledge, understanding and confidence they need to participate effectively in democratic processes. This project will build on these existing resources to help New Zealand councils and schools support active citizenship and the participation of children and young people in decision-making processes. Download our flyer here.
A range of resources have been identified which will be developed over coming years.
Kids Voting
Pupils from all over New Zealand have been having their say in who that think should run the country.
Thousands of students across New Zealand have participated in the first nationwide Kids Voting elections held in conjunction with the parliamentary election. Feedback from those involved indicates that the programme has been a tremendous success. Click here to read the summary of the Kids Voting 2008.
Kids Voting gives Year Nine students the opportunity to participate in an authentic voting experience. Students vote for real candidates, on a real ballot paper, and compare the results from the Kids election with the results of the real election.
Kids Voting is designed to raise awareness among young people about New Zealand's electoral processes. In New Zealand, as in most developed democracies, voter turnout is falling and levels of political engagement are low among young people. Building first-hand experience of active participation by young people will increase their personal understanding, belief and confidence in electoral participation. For more information, or to register, visit http://www.kidsvoting.org.nz/
Youth Citizens' Juries
Growing Active Citizens has developed a resource for use by schools and councils: Youth Citizens' Juries: A Guide to Setting up and Running a Youth Citizens' Jury. Youth Juries provide a unique opportunity for young people to be included in decision-making and participate in the political processes of their community. The guide and associated DVD will support schools and councils to run this unique consultation and decision making process for young people in their area. Please contact us on info@lgnz.co.nz to obtain a copy of the Youth Citizens' Juries resource. You can also Download our flyer here.
Last updated: November 2009
