Dr Cheryl Doig reflects on her recent time with Welsh Commission for Future Generations Sophie Howe and what it could mean for New Zealand … is it time to lower the voting age? 

Sophie Howe, the first Commissioner for Future Generations in Wales asked the question, ‘What do you want to leave behind for your children, grandchildren and generations to come?’

It was part of a national conversation in Wales following a piece of landmark legislation – the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act 2015. As a result, seven wellbeing goals were established, each with their own detail: a prosperous Wales, a resilient Wales, a healthier Wales, a more equal Wales, a Wales of cohesive communities, a Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language, and a globally responsible Wales. The legislation required public bodies to work towards achieving all of the goals. They were charged with considering these goals through five ways of working – thinking for the long term, prevention, integration, collaboration and involvement.

Our own Productivity Commission and other groups have suggested that we need similar legislation and a Commissioner for Future Generations here. Helping us all look to the horizon, to do the work of today but also connect with the future. I hosted Sophie during her recent visit to Aotearoa New Zealand and followed her as she spoke to community groups, iwi, health, youth, education and local government. All were eager to learn from the Welsh journey and work together to create a visionary future for our country. Sophie’s visit was a catalyst to bring a group of rangatahi (youth) together from across Ōtautahi to learn from the Welsh experience.

Think Beyond, Grow Waitaha and the University of Canterbury collaborated to convene this event. Broken into groups, each presented their preferred future, provided detail about changes that need to happen, and shared a set of initial actions as a first step towards their future statement. These young people are ready to step up and take a role and they are capable citizens who we need to support. This leads me to the suggestion that 16-year-olds should be allowed to vote. Some adults believe this is too young while others support it, perhaps starting with local government.The young people that we worked with demonstrated that they are ready. I see a generation of hope who want to have a say and who are articulate, deep thinkers. You might argue that that isn’t the case for all youth. I would argue back that some adults aren’t either. That’s democracy.