Youth Enrolment

A Research New Zealand survey, prepared for the Electoral Enrolment Centre, showed around 294,000 New Zealanders are not enrolled, including 118,000 who are aged between 18 and 24.
    In May, the centre began a nationwide campaign to try to ensure 95 per cent of all eligible voters were enrolled.
    The integrated media campaign targeted student as well as mainstream media and included sending out enrolment packs to make sure people are enrolled correctly.
    “We are reminding people if they haven’t already enrolled then they should,” says Mr Wicks.
    Lack of time and interest are some of the reasons young people give for not enrolling which is illegal in New Zealand.
    “I dispute this way of thinking because [the election] does impact them and they should care about it,” says Mr Wicks.
    “Each party will have a policy that will impact on youth, such as student loans, allowances and tax cuts.”
    A 21-year-old male student, who did not want to be named, says he is unsure whether or not he is enrolled but that he doesn’t care either way.
    “As bad as it sounds, I just don’t get politics and I am not really interested in voting because I don’t know enough about who to vote for – there is not much point in just picking some party at random,” he says.
    Another 19-year-old male, says he isn’t enrolled but just hasn’t got round to doing anything about it because he is not interested in the election.
    Mr Wicks says the centre is making it easier for young people to be involved by using communication channels such as the internet and text messaging. Field workers are also visiting schools and universities to help eligible voters enrol.
    Starting in July, the Electoral Enrolment Centre will begin to individually target the hard-to-reach groups, which includes 18 to 24 year olds, Maori, Pacific Islanders and Asians.

To get an enrolment pack sent to you apply online at www.elections.org.nz , text 3676, call 0800 36 76 56 or drop into any NZ post shop.