If Te Atatu kids had a vote too
Affordable housing, a compact city, and efficient public transport.
These are the views of a group of kids from west Auckland’s Te Atatu Intermediate School.
The decisions of Auckland politicians today will create the Auckland of the future that those children will inherit. They are keenly aware of that. Yet nationwide, little more than 40 per cent of eligible voters are likely to bother to cast their vote, if the turnout of past elections is anything to go by.
We asked the Te Atatu students what they hoped today’s adults would consider when thinking about who they’re voting for in Auckland’s local body elections. Most of the kids didn’t discuss politics around the dinner table with their parents.
One exception was 12-year-old Alex Larking’s parents.
‘‘My parents are very strong about voting,’’ he says.
His parents hold a low opinion of those who don’t vote, he says. Despite the lack of political debate at home, most of the kids had plenty to say on Auckland issues.
The year eight pupils were most worried about Auckland’s elected politicians and decision-makers addressing housing and transport. Most of their parents own the homes they lived in, but the kids weren’t confident they would be able to afford to buy when they grow up. Auckland house prices were having a big influence on Oliver Gracewood’s extended family - some were moving down to Wellington to find affordable homes, the 12-yearold says.
The city’s housing crisis was becoming a ‘‘big factor for people growing up’’.
‘‘I’d really like Auckland to have reasonable house prices,’’ he says.
The kids where divided on how politicians should solve the city’s housing supply. A couple disapproved of apartment blocks preferring to have homes with sections. But Auckland’s growing sprawl should be stopped, Eden Hatafale, 13, says.
‘‘I hope we don’t grow to much as a huge city, too big is too much, there’s that quote that says little is more.’’
Most of the children wanted an end to traffic congestion and roadworks while holding out for grander public transport projects.
‘‘When I’m 30 years old I hope there’s going to be a railway towards Te Atatu,’’ Hatafale says.