I'm voting for...
Hope is not naive
Young people have hopes for the future that need to be heard in this election. We need to be able to imagine a thriving world, and to see politicians take this seriously.
We are in a pivotal time where the next few years will determine the future of our planet and wellbeing of our people.
We want a future where Aotearoa thrives together.
We want a future where we are liberated from the climate crisis.
We are calling on young people to share our hopes for our climate and communities.
Regardless of the government in power, as a community we have made powerful shifts in how we live together; from introducing Māori wards, to passing the Zero Carbon Act, to banning conversion therapy in Aotearoa. We have shown time and time again that we create a world and a future where we are guided by empathy.
Talking to our mates, our whānau and those in our life is one of the most powerful ways that we can encourage others to vote for the future of our people and our planet. If each person that visits this site fosters a conversation with a loved one about the future they are voting for, then the power we hold as a community will multiply.
We are calling on our candidates to honour our hope and prioritise solutions to the climate crisis.
We are living through an election where many of the main parties have not addressed the issues that are affecting young people. We have seen extreme climate events in Aotearoa that have shaken us collectively. We have seen profits continue to rise for the wealthy and corporations, while more of us are unable to afford the basic needs for warm housing and food. And we have seen racial, ableist and transphobic hate find a platform, while we turn up again and again to say no to hate. When we vote we are placing our trust in politicians to take our future seriously.
Some of our hopes
A world where we honor Te Tiriti o Waitangi and He Whakaputanga
A world where rangatiratanga is guaranteed to Māori and where our ways of living, relating, and governing reflect our Treaty commitments. We love the idea of the multi-sphere models outlined in Matike Mai: a rangatiratanga sphere where Māori make decisions for Māori, a kāwanatanga sphere where the crown makes decisions for its people, and a relational sphere where we come together to make joint decisions.
Thriving and accessible communities
We hope for thriving communities to be a part of. Livable communities where housing is affordable and warm. Accessible communities where transport is free and available to everyone, and our urban environments are accessible for everyone to enjoy. Resourced and resilient communities where we have time and space to grow our own kai, to get to know each other, and to look after each other.
Climate justice
A response to the climate crisis that is rooted in the ideas of collective liberation and understandings of responsibility. A world where we achieve climate justice is a world where we have gender equality, a world where we uphold te Tiriti o Waitangi, a world where everyone has a home, everyone has enough to live full lives, and communities on the front line of climate change are fully supported to recover and lead.
A flourishing environment
A flourishing environment that we can connect with and where mana whenua relationships to place are prioritised. Native forests, marshes, beaches, estuaries, that are centres of biodiversity and are resilient to climate change. Kākā flying overhead, and kiwi in our backyards. Places where we can get our hands dirty and grow food together.