When polls closed on Saturday, Aotearoa recorded the worst voter turnout for local elections in 36 years. Only 32.6% of eligible voters, less than 1 in 3, cast their vote to determine the state of their communities, towns and cities. While 2025 data is not yet available, 2022 data shows these votes are dominated by time-rich older people.
“This is a dire warning to decision makers across the country about the state and health of our democracy” says Make It 16 co-director, Thomas Brocherie, “If we want our councils to actually reflect the aspirations of our communities, we need to urgently lower the voting age.”
“Lowering the voting age to 16 has had transformative impacts on voter engagement and turnout across the world, with 16-17 year olds showing up to vote in higher numbers than their slightly older counterparts and continuing to vote in subsequent elections.”
After Make It 16’s landmark victory at the Supreme Court in 2022, the government at the time introduced legislation to lower the voting age for local elections. They recognised the importance of lowering the voting age for local democracy. However, that legislation has since been shelved by the current government.
“While the Prime Minister continues to muse about how to fix this, our campaign has the evidence, framework and answer to revitalise local democracy. We are actually falling behind on this issue with places like the UK having already lowered the voting age to 16 and we desperately need to catch up.”
“The aspirations and needs of young people are deeply intertwined with the wellbeing of our communities. Young people are calling for better community services and the continuation of youth councils. Our aspirations need to be around the decision making table and treated with the same importance.”
“Meaningful steps need to be taken to transform our local democracy and make it work for New Zealanders. That starts by lowering the voting age to 16.”
Notes:
Disastrous election turnout leaves few clues about national mood | The Spinoff – https://thespinoff.co.nz/the-bulletin/13-10-2025/disastrous-election-turnout-leaves-few-clues-about-national-mood
Scottish independence referendum report v1 –https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/sites/default/files/pdf_file/Scottish-independence-referendum-report.pdf
Ardern promises bill to lower voting age to 16 in New Zealand after discrimination ruling – https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/21/voting-age-of-18-is-discriminatory-new-zealand-supreme-court-rules
Voting age to be lowered to 16 by next general election –https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c628ep4j5kno
Longerterm effects of voting at age 16: higher turnout among young people in Scotland – https://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/222196/1/PaG%2013%20-%20Longer-Term%20Effects%20of%20Voting%20at%20Age%2016_%20Higher%20Turnout%20Among%20Young%20People%20in%20Scotland.pdf