Filipino News 171

08 ISSUE 171 REUNION 2023 | www.filipinonews.nz | email: filipinonews@xtra.co.nz | www.migrantnews.nz | Facebook: Migrant News
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By Ricky Matthew
AUCKLAND – In theory,
increasing voter
turnout among young people
can significantly
impact elections. When
they show up at the polls in
large numbers, they can
influence the outcome,
especially in close races.
Did more young people
register and turn out to
vote this year? Such
detailed information may
only come to hand after
about two weeks. For now
we can only speculate
based on data from the
previous elections.
There was a big increase
in the number of young
people turning out to vote
at the 2020 General
Election. “An age breakdown
released on
www.elections.nz shows
the biggest gains in turnout
in the younger age
groups,” says Chief
Electoral Officer Alicia
Wright.
“The younger people are
when they start voting, the
more likely they are to be
voters for life, which is
important if we are to continue
to have high participation
rates in future elections.”
For the 18 to 24-year-old
age group: 43,293 more
voted in the 2020 election.
Since 2014, the turnout of
enrolled voters in this age
group has increased
15.3%.
Was the youth vote pivotal in
the outcome of this election?
"It's important that we get to the voting booth so that
important issues like climate change and lowering costs
for students, especially public transport, are represented in parliament." - Aditya Mehra.
With the 2023 New
Zealand elections coming
to a close, two first-time
voters shared their stories,
emphasizing the importance
of youth engagement
in the political process.
Miguel Hernandez (not his
real name) and Aditya
Mehra, both students pursuing
their dreams in
Auckland, are examples of
young citizens eager to
make their voices heard.
Born and raised in New
Zealand, 18-year-old
Miguel Hernandez, a
Bachelor of Commerce
student at the University of
Auckland, excitedly cast
his first-ever vote this year.
Enrique's parents are
migrants from two different
Southeast Asian countries,
making him a unique
blend of cultures and perspectives.
His motivation to vote
was fuelled by a desire to
have a say in the country's
direction and a keen interest
in understanding the
differences between left
and right-wing policies.
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"I wanted to vote
because I want to have my
say on the direction of the
country," said Miguel. "It
was also interesting to
learn about the differences
between left and rightwing
policies and which
side aligns with my
beliefs."
Miguel believes that
more youth should actively
participate in the political
process, asserting that
their sizeable demographic
presence can significantly
influence government policies.
"I think young people
should vote because we are
a large section of society,
and by voting, we can
ensure that the government
forms a shape that
better reflects our key
interests."
Despite his busy schedule
as a university student,
Miguel managed to make it
to the voting booth on the
last day. “I voted at
Henderson High School on
election day, with
only a few hours
left, because I am busy
with uni throughout the
week.”
Aditya Mehra, a 19-
year-old engineering student
at AUT, hails from a
family of Indian migrants
who have called New
Zealand home for over two
decades.
Aditya's first-time voting
experience was driven by a
passion for addressing critical
issues such as climate
change and lowering costs
for students, particularly
in public transport.
"It's important that we
get to the voting booth so
that important issues like
climate change and lowering
costs for students, especially
public transport, are
represented
in parliament,"
Aditya
emphasized.
Yet, the
challenge of
making an
informed voting decision
frequently acts as a significant
obstacle for young
voters. Addressing these
common concerns of many
young voters about the
complexity of the political
landscape, Aditya offered
valuable advice. "I think a
lot of young people are hesitant
to vote because it is
hard to figure out who to
vote for, but there are
many resources online like
the Vote Compass quiz that
help you learn about different
parties and which
one speaks to your values,"
he said, encouraging his
peers to explore accessible
tools to make informed
decisions.
Stopping by Albany Mall
on the way home from
AUT, Aditya's commitment
to casting his first
vote was evident as he
chose to vote on the first
day of the election.
The stories of Miguel
Hernandez and Aditya
Mehra highlight the enthusiasm
and passion of New
Zealand's first-time voters
in shaping their nation's
future.
Their experiences underscore
the importance of
political engagement
among the youth and serve
as a reminder that every
vote counts, ensuring the
government represents the
diverse voices of the
nation's young citizens.
As New Zealand looks
ahead to the future, young
voters will continue to play
a vital role in defining the
direction of their country.