I’m so sick of people spinning the ‘it’s unethical for me to vote, because I don’t know anything about who to vote for’ line.

One of your very few responsibilities in a civil, democratic nation is to get off your butt and be actively involved in the political system, by ticking a box once every couple of years. In return, you get a whole bucketload for free, including the ability to NOT risk your life in your attempt to do so. It’s not only pathetic, rude and immature to not vote, it’s making a mockery of all those people in the past, and today, around the world, who HAVE given their time, energy, voices and lives for the same privilege.

Just over 100 years ago, in 1853 participating in New Zealand’s first election was very much a privilege. You had to meet the following criteria:

• Be a British citizen (Maori technically qualified, but because of communal land ownership were made ineligible via other criteria)
• Be male
• Own land freehold
• Be over 21
• Live in a place where the rental met a monetary threshold

Just over 20 years later, we had removed the requirements for men to own or rent land, and included all Maori men in the voting system. We’d also removed the ability for landlords with property in different regions to be able to vote multiple times.

But it was 1893 before us women were given the same rights. 120 years ago.

Anyone who thinks that feels like the distant past and is totally irrelevant to us today, need only talk to their family to learn the role their great grandparents played in creating a country where every adult voice is heard… Or to a refugee living around the corner who probably cannot comprehend the sheer laziness of avoiding a few hours research when they have and would give a whole lot more to play their part in selecting the people who will lead their country.

Democracy is made infinitely easier by the internet, and thank goodness we live in a country where, far from stopping you from voting, you are basically hand-held through the process.

I know it seems like a way out from the elections, but to do justice to the monumental decision you get to make this year, please take your time, think about your vision for this country and what party matches that most closely.

It’s that simple, and that important.