Active Citizenship Aotearoa: Engaging New Zealand youth in politics

A new project aiming to increase youth engagement in politics in New Zealand has been launched. Active Citizenship Aotearoa is aiming to empower, engage and educate young New Zealanders to become active citizens. Young people make up 20 percent of the voting age population in New Zealand, yet have the lowest level of electoral enrolment across all age groups. Active Citizenship Aotearoa say they are failed by an inconsistent standard of education nationwide, and are not taught about voting, democracy or civic affairs. The group are planning to create education campaigns to equip young people to be active citizens, who understand and participate in the governance of their communities. Reporter Sam Smith spoke to one of the founders Isabella Lenihan-Ikin.