Care-experienced rangatahi from across Aotearoa will put
politicians on the spot ahead of the election, questioning
them directly on the issues that matter most to children and
young people in care.
Hosted by VOYCE – Whakarongo
Mai, the online pre-election political panel on Monday 19
October will bring together representatives from the
political parties currently polling above five percent. The
event is one of the few election debates in Aotearoa where
politicians will be questioned exclusively by
care-experienced young people, providing a unique
opportunity to hear directly how parties plan to improve
outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi in care.
Confirmed
participants include ACT’s Karen Chhour, Labour’s
Willow-Jean Prime, National’s Dana Kirkpatrick, the Green
Party’s Kahurangi Carter, New Zealand First’s Kym McDonald,
and The Opportunities Party’s Jessica Hammond, with Te Pāti
Māori’s representative to be confirmed. Livestreamed on the
VOYCE Facebook page from 6.00pm to 7.30pm, the event will
give care-experienced young people the opportunity to
challenge political leaders on how they plan to address the
issues affecting their lives.
Designed by and for
care-experienced young people, the discussion will focus on
the real-life issues they face every day, including youth
justice, mental health and wellbeing, safety in care,
education, transitions to independence, and political
parties’ commitments to VOYCE’s #6Promises.
VOYCE –
Whakarongo Mai Chief Executive Tracie Shipton says she is
delighted to see political parties embracing the opportunity
to engage directly with care-experienced young
people.
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“We’re thrilled that these politicians are
willing to step into this space and take questions directly
from rangatahi with lived experience of care. It shows a
willingness to listen, engage and be accountable to some of
the young people most affected by government decisions. We
know our rangatahi won’t be asking easy questions, and we’re
grateful that political leaders are up for the
challenge.”
Shipton says election campaigns too often
overlook the voices of children and young people with care
experience.
“Too often decisions are made about
children and young people in care without hearing directly
from those who have lived that experience. This panel turns
that around, giving rangatahi the opportunity to question
political leaders, seek answers, and hold them accountable
for the commitments they make.”
Shipton says the event
comes at a critical time in the election campaign, with many
young people still deciding who will earn their
vote.
“With many young voters still undecided, this
panel provides a rare opportunity to move beyond campaign
slogans and hear directly how political parties would
improve the lives of children and young people in care.
Rangatahi deserve clear answers about the issues that affect
them most, and they deserve to know that their voices matter
in our democracy.”
Questions have been developed by
care-experienced young people themselves, reflecting their
priorities, concerns, and hopes for the future.
The
event will also examine how political parties intend to
uphold the 6 Promises, a framework developed by VOYCE and
care-experienced young people that outlines six commitments
every child and young person in care should be able to
expect, including being listened to, feeling safe,
maintaining meaningful connections to whānau, and receiving
the support they need to thrive.
“Rangatahi with care
experience are the experts in their own lives. They know
what is working, what is not, and where change is urgently
needed. This is an opportunity for political parties to
listen, respond, and show how they will deliver better
outcomes for children and young people in care.”
VOYCE
is encouraging caregivers, whānau, professionals,
supporters and the wider community to tune in and hear
directly from both young people and political leaders on the
issues shaping the future of care in Aotearoa.
Event
Details
What: VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai Pre-Election
Political Panel
When: Monday 19 October, 6.00pm –
7.30pm
Where: Online via the VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai
Facebook
page
https://facebook.com/events/s/voyce-political-hotseat-electi/3620138994806390/
Who:
Karen
Chhour (ACT)
Willow-Jean Prime (Labour)
Dana
Kirkpatrick (National)
Kahurangi Carter (Green
Party)
Kym McDonald (New Zealand First)
Jessica
Hammond (The Opportunities Party)
Te Pāti Māori
representative (TBC)
Questioning will be led by
care-experienced rangatahi from across
Aotearoa.
