Information for Teachers

Kids Voting supports teachers to deliver the existing curriculum in a fun and unique way. Kids Voting is designed to work with the Year Nine social studies curriculum so you can choose activities that are appropriate to your classes and requirements.

You will receive electronic replicas of the ballot papers that adults in your area would receive so you can conduct an election in the week prior to the actual vote. You will also get a teaching guide to assist you in holding a Kids Voting election in your classroom ballot box and background information to enhance the experience and learning outcomes. All materials are free.

Thousands of students across New Zealand have had their say with Kids Voting in previous years. Kids Voting ran in conjunction with the local government elections in 2007, parliamentary elections in 2008, in 2010 covered the local government elections, and in 2011 the general election and referendum on the voting system.

You choose the amount of preparation and classroom time allocated to Kids Voting. How much you cover will depend on how much time you have available. The basics of Kids Voting will take one to two sessions: voting and counting the vote. You can add to this as little or as much as you like. You can use the ideas in the Kids Voting teaching guide. You could cover subject material relevant to your class or organise any other activities to assist your students to feel confident casting their vote.

While the programme is aligned to the Year 9 Social Studies curriculum, it can be successfully delivered to most year groups.

We will email you a teaching guide after you register. This will include ideas and guidance for running your  Kids Voting local body elections.

Local councils will be invited to take part, and may also be able to support you with your program. We will let you know if your council is taking part.

There is evidence that programs which give students an experience of participating in democratic systems are likely to foster future participation and have a number of benefits for students and teachers including:

  • giving students first hand experience of the electoral process and increasing their confidence to enrol and vote
  • increasing interest in politics by involving students in the democratic process
  • providing opportunities for supporting activities that can contribute to the achievement of other curriculum objectives
  • raising awareness of issues facing local communities and the nation as a whole.

Kids Voting is fun, it's free and it gives students an insight into what it's like to participate in the democratic process. So take part next time Kids Voting in offered!