Kiwi kids have voted: Chlöe Swarbrick tops children’s poll

A total of 244 children and young people under 18 took part, with Swarbrick receiving 69 votes, 10 ahead of Christopher Luxon on 59, followed by Chris Hipkins on 46.

But beyond who they voted for, the Kiwi Kids Vote gives a clear picture of why children made their choice and what they want the country’s next Prime Minister to do for children.

"What really stands out from these results is that children are asking for many of the things every one of us should want for them: a good education, enough food to eat, a safe and secure home, places to play, access to healthcare, and a future where they don’t have to be afraid of what climate change will mean for them," says Save the Children New Zealand Programmes and Advocacy Director Jacqui Southey.

"The results are an important reminder to adults heading to the polls that children are watching, listening and forming views about the kind of country they want to grow up in. What comes through again and again is a call for kindness and empathy. Children want leaders who will listen, who understand what life is like for families, and who genuinely care about people. There is something very powerful in that message as adults prepare to make our own choice this weekend."

Participants were asked to choose their preferred Prime Minister, explain why they had chosen that person, and say what they wanted the next Prime Minister to do to make Aotearoa New Zealand a better place for children. Before voting, they could also learn about the candidates, including what they would do to support children as well as more personal details such as their favourite colour and animal.

Education emerged as the number one issue children want the next Government to act on, followed by kindness and caring, opportunities for play and recreation, meeting children’s basic needs, safety, the environment and climate change, the cost of living, and ensuring young people have a voice.

While younger children were more likely to connect with candidates through their personalities, favourite foods, animals, colours or jokes, older children increasingly based their decisions on the issues candidates stood for. Among 14 and 15-year-olds, 62.5% based their choice on issues.

Ms Southey says this shows children are not simply observing the election from the sidelines.

"As children get older, we can see them increasingly connecting their vote with the issues affecting their own lives, their whānau and their communities. They understand poverty. They understand the pressure families are under. They worry about education, housing and the environment, and they are asking political leaders to care about those things too.

The children themselves were clear about what they want.

On education, one young person called for:

"A school system that is based off of learning and understanding, not just passing the year. This year my biggest concern has just been passing, not actually absorbing the information given."

Another called on the next Prime Minister to:

"Make sure children have a meal on their plates, have the opportunity to go to school and learn, have accessible healthcare."

Another wanted government to support families experiencing poverty so children could:

"…have access to basic survival necessities and more so they can thrive, not just get by."

Climate change was also front of mind:

"I want the next Prime Minister of New Zealand to create a clean planet and make it their priority to stop climate change so young people like me can grow up on a beautiful planet without fear of global warming and rising sea levels."

And perhaps the simplest message for the adults who will choose the next Government came from another young voter:

"Let children speak. One day we will be the future."

Ms Southey says that is the message Save the Children wants voters and political leaders to take from Kiwi Kids Vote.

"We spend a lot of time during elections talking about children and their futures. Kiwi Kids Vote turns that around and asks children themselves what that future should look like.

"Their message is not complicated. Listen to us. Keep us safe. Give us a good education. Make sure children have what they need. Look after our planet. And make decisions with kindness.

"Children cannot put a tick on an official ballot paper this Saturday. But every adult who can vote has the opportunity to carry children’s voices with them when they do."