The people who would benefit most from government assistance are also the people least likely to vote.

It is no coincidence that people living in some of the poorest areas of Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty are also the people who are least likely to vote. Ten of the thirteen suburbs that had 74% or less of the population voting were from lower income areas (deprivation levels seven or above). In fact, one of Tauranga’s most deprived areas recorded the lowest voter turnout at 65%.

This trend is something observed in voting participation from several countries. Traditionally, lower socioeconomic and younger voters are the first to turn away from the electoral process. When participation is uneven across communities, the people represented by election results may not fully reflect the people those decisions affect.

Are our democratic processes designed around people with time, confidence, transport, digital access and political literacy — rather than making it easy for everyone to vote?

People on low incomes can be working two jobs, seeking support from WINZ, going to the food bank, or just generally spending their energy surviving. They often do not have time to prioritise listening out for the latest election promises from the various political parties when their focus is getting food on the table and keeping the power on.

There can also be practical barriers. Not everyone has easy access to transport, the internet or the information needed to enrol, update their details or understand how and where to vote. For some in our hapori, a lack of confidence or political knowledge can also be a barrier.

And sometimes, people simply don’t believe that voting will make a difference. They may choose not to participate because they feel completely excluded and disconnected from the political process. Either way, the implications of their voice being lost are dire. Voters who don’t vote at their first opportunity are much less likely to vote throughout their lives (Bernard Hickey, ‘A generation being disenfranchised in plain sight’, August 4 2026, The Kākā).

This all means that our voting population is looking less representative of who we are and what we need to thrive. 

The Electoral Commission does a great job encouraging people to enrol and update their details, but they are working against systems that make it harder for people on lower incomes to participate in the democratic process. As a result, the people who are often the most affected by many government policies are also the ones least likely to vote and have a voice.

People on low incomes have less to donate to political parties, are less likely to attend political party fundraisers, and do not have the same access to politicians that those on higher incomes or running large businesses may have. They are also less likely to have the resources to engage public relations or government relations agencies to lobby politicians and senior public servants for policies that could help address persistent, intergenerational disadvantages.

The voices and interests of low-income people are very often missing in action, and this has implications for the strength and representativeness of our democracy as a whole. It can take just one major life change, such as losing a job, becoming unwell and unable to work, or experiencing a marital breakup, for someone to suddenly need government income support or assistance from community organisations such as food banks.

At the very least, making it as easy as possible to vote is essential. But people also need to feel that their voice and contribution matter, and that they are not ‘written off’ by political party policy.

Community organisations are already playing an important role in encouraging people to enrol before 25 October 2026. With advance voting approaching, there is an opportunity for all of us to help make sure the people around us are able to have their say.

Ask your whānau, friends and workmates if they are enrolled. If they are not sure, it’s easy to check your enrolment, update your details or enrol at vote.nz/enrolling. You can also call 0800 367 656 or free text 3676.

Democracy works best when everyone who is eligible has the opportunity to take part. We need everyone to have their say.