'Lazy' students can't be bothered voting

Of 22 Eastern Institute of Technology students interviewed, 8 were not intending to vote and 5 were yet to enrol. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Laziness, hopelessness and a lack of knowledge were the three factors stopping some Eastern Institute of Technology students from voting.

Of the 22 students interviewed by Hawke's Bay Today, eight were not intending to vote and five were yet to enrol.

Student Hariru Hawkins said she was too lazy to vote but did not think her vote would make a difference anyway.

Many of those interviewed at EIT, such as Brandon Wheeler, said they wanted to see the end of the current Government.

"I don't want National in government again," Wheeler said.

Student Shiana Rongo said most students did not recognise how important voting was. "They don't vote and then they moan about the government."

Student association president Will Jenkins said the association clearly had work to do but it was important that young people voted. "I encourage anyone, especially young people, to vote."

He said the election had a big influence on the lives of the students at EIT, from their education to the quality of the flats they lived in.

"The whole education system is influenced by who is elected," he said.

The association has had a table with electoral enrolment packs out for the last month and has been using a Facebook campaign to communicate with the students.

Mr Jenkins said the association was also planning a lunch-time election series throughout September, featuring local MPs.

As reported on Monday by Hawke's Bay Today, only 77.09 per cent of those in the Napier electorate aged between 18 and 24 were enrolled to vote, well below the average across all demographics of 94.54 per cent.

1. Kaela Doyle
"I can't be bothered going to vote."

2. Tylah Mackey
"It's pointless going to vote. We're still going to lose."

3. Liana McDougal
"I don't understand the whole politics thing."

4. Devo Mitchell
"I want the minimum wage to go up."

5. James Wright
"I want to have my say in who gets elected."