In 2022, the Make It 16 campaign achieved a major milestone: a bill was introduced to Parliament to lower the voting age to 16 for local elections. This was a direct result of the Supreme Court ruling that the current voting age of 18 is unjustified age discrimination under the Bill of Rights. 

 

The bill passed its first reading and went to the select committee, where hundreds of young people and supporters shared personal stories and compelling reasons why they wanted young people to vote and have a voice in our democracy.

 

Despite the significant public engagement, none of these submissions were ever read. 

 

The Bill was effectively removed from the legislative agenda, leaving the voting age unchanged. This happened through a constitutionally inappropriate process, where the Government (Executive) directed Parliament to stop considering the Bill instead of allowing the Select Committee to do its job.

 

This was deeply disappointing. After years of campaigning, legal action, and mobilising people across the country to engage in the democratic process, it felt like the door had been shut before we were even heard.

 

Despite this setback, the bill proved we had momentum with national attention, political support, and a movement behind us. It showed that change is possible. Now, we’re continuing the fight to make sure we get another bill in place and get it passed to ensure that young people’s voices aren’t just heard, but counted.