At 16 you can drive, consent to sex, consent to medical procedures, move out of home, leave school, work full-time, pay income tax, own a firearms licence, and apply to enrol in the NZ defence force. We should be able to vote too.

These are real decisions with real consequences. If 16 and 17-year-olds are trusted to work, pay taxes, make medical choices, and take responsibility for their futures, we should also be trusted to vote.

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We are affected by government decisions every day, from education and healthcare to climate change, housing, transport, and the economy. 16 and 17-year-olds are capable of understanding how our government and voting system works. We already participate in society. Our democracy should catch up.

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Here’s a full list of things you can do at 16/17:

• Drive

• Consent to sex

• Consent to medical procedures

• Move out of home

• Leave school

• Work full-time

• Pay income tax

• Own a firearms licence

• Get a passport (without parental permission)

• Apply for a student loan (with parental permission)

• Apply to enrol in the New Zealand defence force (at 17)

• Understand how our government and voting system works

• Be affected by government decisions and policies