Students in Whanau Ngata have voted in the 2016 local elections.

Teachers decided to implement the voting as part of the Ngata inquiry unit and overarching inquiry question: “What will my place be in the 21st century?” Their focus has been on the 4 C`s (competencies) of the 21st Century: 
Communication,
 Critical Thinking,
 Creativity and
 Collaboration.

The aim was for students to think deeply about their future, to develop independence and develop competence in each of the 4 C’s (competency areas).

By immersing the students in the voting programme they are starting to understand the role they will play as adults, how they can actively contribute as citizens and that they have both the right and responsibility to shape New Zealand’s future.

Through the process students identified some of the problems they will inherit as adults, thus recognising the need to pick the right candidates. Students’ preferences were varied. They chose candidates that focused primarily on what they thought was most important to young people and the future of New Zealand.

The students were really excited. There was a lot of information, but once they worked through the candidates in relation to what they valued, it was smooth sailing from there. The teachers were really happy with the result as students were able to confidently articulate the process of voting and justify their choices.