How you can help: Make it 16 & show up for Gaza

Kia ora e hoa mā - a huge thanks to everyone for your feedback on my election this piece this week - it means the world to know it’s helped some of you.

A few opportunities for our voices to be heard this week, one of them closing today!

The Justice Committee is hearing submissions on the bill to lower the voting age in local body elections to 16 - submissions close today.

I’m sure you don’t need my reminder why this is vital mahi - for so, so many reasons - our rangatahi are the ones who will inherit this world from us and have to live in it longer than we will; they’re already working and paying taxes and struggling in the cost of living crisis and making change and so so much more; and it’s just the right thing to do.

Make it 16 have made it so, so easy for you to submit - their submission tool is an incredible example of generative AI as a force for good, where you can fill in a little about yourself and tick off some reasons why you’re for this change, and then the tool will generate a customised submission using what you’ve shared.

It took me a total of two minutes - and as someone who has spent hours over submissions in the past, it was a total breeze and pretty up to scratch!

If you’d prefer, you can of course write your own using the same tool.

So please, take a minute out of your day and submit!

Secondly - this weekend the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa are holding actions all around the motu to stand in solidarity with Gaza.

There are events in Ōtautahi, Whanganui, Pōneke, Kirikiriroa, Tāmaki, and Palmerston North - please, if you’re able, pop along. Be there, be part of the crowd, add your voice to those calling for solidarity and peace and resistance. We’re witnessing a genocide in action - it’s time for us to make a stand.

Thank you, e te whānau!