Becoming an Active Citizen

Being an active citizen has several sides to it. Within our democracy you can express your ideas and beliefs in lots of different ways, including voting in elections.

There are many other ways of contributing to society. Giving time, sharing your culture, connecting with whanau or others with similar interests, helping at playgroup, signing a petition and planting trees are a few examples.

Individual actions and efforts may not always be visible. But combined they form the lifeblood of  strong communities. Mucking in with others helps us create places that are good to live in and bring up children.

Here are some of the ways you can be active as a citizen:

•  Volunteering
•  Joining up with others
•  Help run local organisations 
•  Have your say.

Volunteering

New Zealand is a nation of volunteers. Recent statistics show that each year 1.2 million volunteers give more than 270 million hours of unpaid labour through organisations.

Volunteers can be found doing something at every time of the day, all over the country. Amongst other things, volunteers act as marshals at sporting matches, fight fires, monitor water quality, celebrate diversity, deliver meals, rescue people and help refugees settle.

Many people also give their time informally. Examples include helping an elderly neighbour with groceries or offering a bed to someone whose house has burnt down.

To find out about formal volunteer opportunities, see:

Joining up with others

You will be able to find other people who share your interests or background and want to talk about it. If a group is not already set up you can start one yourself and invite other people to join. Your imagination is the only limit.

Groups are formed around such things as books, history, weaving, walking, gardening, vintage cars, dance, performance, poetry, self-help, sports, or meditation. And don't forget churches and other religious institutions.

There are tens of thousands of groups for enthusiasts, hobbyists, believers and different cultures amongst the 97,000 community and voluntary organisaitons in New Zealand.

Find groups in your area, see:

Helping run local organisations

Keeping local organisations running takes a lot of effort. As well as the day-to-day work there is always a need for people to help run the committee or board. Governance roles are important not only for keeping an organisation on track, but bringing in diverse views and ideas.

Opportunities exist to support organisations by joining committees or boards of:

• schools, playgroups, kindergartens, kōhanga reo, etc 
• sports groups 
• social service
• community halls and centres
• neighbourhood associations.

Having your say

Citizens can actively influence the way society is shaped in lots of different ways. This includes commenting on policies, running petitions and joining with others to share your ideas and concerns.

Being active as a citizen is not only worthwhile but is an essential part of life in New Zealand. Without active citizens our democracy will whither. Our tradition of free speech means everyone can safely express their ideas and values.

Opportunities include:

• Voting in elections and standing for parliament or council 
• Monitoring how public money is spent by central and local government
• Influencing government policy and services by writing submissions, speaking before  committees or councils, meeting with your MP or councillor, submitting a petition
• Get active by sharing your ideas through online discussion forums or at community or public meetings, joining with others to make your ideas and concerns known or starting a group of your own.

Find out more about having your say:

Guide to Parliament and Government  – a citizenship education resource from the Centre for Citizenship Education. Last updated in 2006.

localcouncils.govt.nz – information on almost every aspect of local government decision making and democracy is detailed on this website run by the Department of Internal Affairs

Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector – this Office works to improve government engagement with community and voluntary organisations and citizens in policy and service development processes.

“Taking Part” - Elections New Zealand wrote this guide to explain how decisions are made in New Zealand and how New Zealanders can help shape them by having their say. Also see the Elections New Zealand information on referenda, electoral law and concepts of democracy.