Jacoby Poulain: Youth must realise power of vote

Today's youth have unprecedented influence and control over their world and are a potential powerhouse in the coming Ikaroa-Rawhiti by-election. With their ability to text, tweet, blog, Facebook, YouTube, vox and skype, youth have never had greater reach.

Considering this unparalleled power, why then does this reach not extend largely into the political realm? Why have our youth given up, or never taken up, voting?

According to Dr Therese Arseneau, lecturer in New Zealand politics, in 1935 around 92 per cent of New Zealand voters turned up to vote. By 1972, it was down to 80 per cent, and, in 2002, about 72 per cent. At the last general election, voter turnout fell to its lowest point since 2002, with roughly a million eligible voters keeping away from the polls. A large chunk of these non-voters were from our younger demographic.

Let's consider three factors in this declining trend.

First, there's the knowledge factor, or lack of it. Civics education through structured school curriculum is not mandatory in NZ. If we're not learning politics in school then where are we learning it from? For most I would suggest from the dinner table, our peers and our environment and experiences as we progress through life. The older we get the more opportunity we have to learn these things. Therefore the younger we are, typically, the less understanding and know-how we have of the whole political process, what it involves and how to be engaged.

Then there's the what's the point factor. Let's face it, as human beings, for the most part, we want maximum benefit from minimum exertion. We are rational, logical creatures and generally we understand cost and benefit analysis. If it's not clear what the benefits are in voting then youth simply won't.

Furthermore is the disillusionment and distrust factor. Last general election, a third of non-voters said they didn't trust politicians and a third said there was no point voting because polls had indicated the result was a foregone conclusion. People protested by abstaining to vote.

In essence, we have a group of young voters who don't value their vote or the voting process, therefore they simply don't vote.

The danger with this is that it exaggerates a depressing cycle of disempowerment. The more youth don't vote, the more they get ignored by politicians.

The more youth are ignored, the more disillusioned they become, the more they don't vote, the more they are ignored, and so the cycle continues.

The answer is to realise and bring back the mana or the power inherent in voting.

Youth or Rangatahi Maori of Ikaroa-Rawhiti - you have the mana. Use it wisely and use it well.

To vote is to tautoko. As the kaiwaiata or singers on a marae stand to sing in tautoko or support of the speaker, so is the action of voting a gesture of support for the speaker in the house or whare of Parliament.

To vote is to build the mana or ability of your whanau and of Maori. If you don't vote for who you want, others will. Voting is easy, quick, important and powerful.

If all young Maori voted it could change lives, communities and our nation.

To vote is kaitiakitanga or guardianship in action. Guard the right to vote and use it well for your pepi and your family. There are few other rights more important in society than the right to vote - it's the basis of all other rights. Our tipuna or ancestors have fought and died for this country and the rights and responsibilities citizenship involves.

As a result of their sacrifices, today you have the right to choose and elect a representative to best serve your future.

Jacoby Poulain is a Hastings District Council Flaxmere Ward councillor.