Never voted before, or not sure how the process works?
Your Voice, Your Choice is a free community drop-in day
happening at Forum North on Saturday 3rd October, giving
people a chance to find out how voting works in a relaxed,
welcoming environment.
Hosted by Tiaho Trust in
collaboration with the Electoral Commission, the day is
disability-led and open to everyone. The event has been
designed to reflect the community it serves, with people
involved in delivering the day bringing lived experience of
disability through their own experiences, whānau or
professional lives.
Tiaho Trust’s Tania Bissett, who
is working closely with community leader Elinor Niha, says
the idea came from feedback that the voting process can feel
overwhelming, particularly when people are unsure what to
expect or face additional accessibility
barriers.
“Disabled people are often seen as
participants in spaces like this, rather than leaders, and
we wanted to flip that. The day is accessible by design, but
it’s not exclusively for disabled people — it’s open
to everyone.”
“Before you even get to voting
itself, there’s already a step a lot of people can get
stuck on, which is getting enrolled. We’ve heard that
people want a chill space, with no pressure, where they can
engage with whatever they’d like and then be on their way.
Our approach is to manaaki people first, get people
connecting with each other over kai, and then the rest
doesn’t feel so high pressure.”
From 10am to 2pm,
people can drop into the Cafler Suite at Forum North to
check their enrolment details and have a go at a practice
vote, so they can see what the experience is like before
voting day.
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There will also be community activities
including arts and crafts with Liam & The Little Print
Makers, music from DJ Hotwheelz (Troy Robertson), kai and
time to connect with others. Several local community
organisations are also helping bring the day
together.
NZSL interpreters and support people will be
available throughout the day, alongside a sensory room for
anyone who needs a quieter space.
The event is
politically neutral and isn’t about telling people who to
vote for or which roll to enrol on. Instead, it’s about
building confidence and helping people understand the voting
process, so they can make their own choices.
People
can RSVP ahead of time, particularly if they have access or
dietary needs, but registration isn’t required and people
can simply drop in on the day.
Your Voice, Your Choice
– Community Day will be held on Saturday 3 October 2026,
from 10am to 2pm at Forum North, Cafler Suite, Whangārei.
The event is free.
RSVP: https://forms.gle/jFzDeXCvbrTHuztq7
Brought
to you by Tiaho Trust in collaboration with the Electoral
Commission.
