[Tia Maria]

This thread got me thinking about this:

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?p=257502#post257502

Do you think those who have been in NZ for under 5 years and haven't been granted citizenship should be able to vote?

Cheers

Tia

[jubjub]

If you are the holders of permanent residence visas and plan to stay in NZ for the foreseeable future, then yes.

[TonnyTessa]

I think you should be if you are serious about the country you are living in. It has always annoyed me that even though I have lived in the UK for more than 8 years and paid taxes, I never had a chance to decide what happens to those taxes. Yes I know I could have applied for British citizenship, but that is simply not an option for me (the Netherlands doesn't allow dual nationality). Was quite excited to find out that I am able to vote in NZ!

[dharder]

It has always annoyed me that even though I have lived in the UK for more than 8 years and paid taxes, I never had a chance to decide what happens to those taxes.

I actually thought I did have a say in where my taxes went as I could vote in local elections in the UK, even before I had citizenship.

I'm fine with this being a prerogative of citizens.

Daniela

[James 1077]

I'm torn on this one - the answer is probably yes but immigrants should have to live in NZ for longer than 1 year before getting the vote.

Probably 3 years is enough to become fully knowledgable of the issues NZ faces and to have enough understanding of the political system to be able to vote with full knowledge of what your tick means.

3 years also shows enough of a commitment to NZ life as well.

Citizenship itself shouldn't be what gives you the right to vote as otherwise people who have lived in NZ for most of their lives but come from a country which doesn't allow dual nationality (and who wish to keep their original country's citizenship) would be unfairly discriminated against.

[Sam B]

In a country where there is such a high proportion of immigrants, it makes sense that they should have a voice. I feel like this is my home now, and it would feel like a stark reminder that it isn't really if I didn't have the right to vote.

[Gar1]

IIt has always annoyed me that even though I have lived in the UK for more than 8 years and paid taxes, I never had a chance to decide what happens to those taxes.

'No taxation without representation'. Surely this must mean no respresentation no taxation?

I have bigger issues with people voting when they are out of the country long term. I think (may be wrong) that I can vote in the UK elections, but have no plans to return, surely not fair.

[dharder]

I think (may be wrong) that I can vote in the UK elections, but have no plans to return, surely not fair.

You can if you are a UK citizen and have been registered to vote in the UK before.

Daniela

[Moorf]

In a country where there is such a high proportion of immigrants, it makes sense that they should have a voice. I feel like this is my home now, and it would feel like a stark reminder that it isn't really if I didn't have the right to vote.

Ditto...

[benandclare]

Probably 3 years is enough to become fully knowledgable of the issues NZ faces and to have enough understanding of the political system to be able to vote with full knowledge of what your tick means.

3 years also shows enough of a commitment to NZ life as well.

.


Yup go with that :nice1

[Caroline and Dave]

In a country where there is such a high proportion of immigrants, it makes sense that they should have a voice. I feel like this is my home now, and it would feel like a stark reminder that it isn't really if I didn't have the right to vote.

My feelings entirely however I do see the other point. I spoke to someone the other day who has been here just over a year and does not have a clue who to vote for yet is going to vote becuse she can and is just going to pick someone out of the list.What is the point in that.

[bob_the_engineer]

Yes absolutely you must must vote….


I love this country, I haven’t been here long enough to become a citizen (just 3 years now), but this is my home. The people I’ve met here have made me more than welcome, I’ve been made to feel part of this great country, and its my duty to take part in the future of NZ.

My vote stands on a wealth of experience. I have a good understanding of economics, I can say I understand trade agreements, I understand the effects of currency interactions, I understand how PLC’s operate; I understand how manufacturing creates wealth how commodities move, I understand the effect of the reserve on trade and its effects on inflation; I also understand how some greedy little people manipulate huge systems to their own benefit and the detriment of the masses.

Importantly I understand what its like to be out of the club, to be an outsider and view how one country behaves towards another and what those polices mean to peoples lives.

Sadly I understand why others don’t see the above, because I was once myself a disillusioned little cog in the huge machine of the UK’s apathy, but thankfully no more! Your in NZ now, take your head out of the sand, you chose this country as much as she chose you.

I can look at NZ’s strengths and weaknesses with a certain amount of detachment, because its all relatively new to me. I can also see the amazing potential that this country has, and we should all take part in shaping that.

This country is quietly great, but given the right leadership it could be the greatest.

We are blessed with an astonishingly fertile country, in a time when food is scarce.

The population is extremely intelligent and strong, and I have to say that being strong doesn’t make you stupid, just like being feeble doesn’t make you wise. People chose their path, some chose to use their head, others there back, one is not more valuable than the other, unless you have both, you have nothing!

I pay my taxes, and to be honest I see very little immediate personal benefit, but I pay my taxes gladly.

Have I ever asked the state for a cent,,,,,, no but some need to and I don’t want to see anyone go hungry so that I can have a little more. (Importantly unlike the UK I don’t feel that I’m being taken advantage of either).

Do I need an education, no I have one, and I paid for it myself. That doesn’t shake my belief that education should be free, it’s our investment not only in our economic future but our social future too (and I’d pay more to see our teachers paid a decent salary, and I’d also pay more to see us stay on the path of investment in R&D).

The most frightening thing I see in NZ’s future is Mr Key, he’s a trader and this isn’t the UK or the USA, which IMHO is all the man understands, he doesn’t have the experience to lead a country like NZ.


IMHO
Anyone who is prepared to stand up and work must be given the opportunity of rewarded.
Those who can not work must be cared for.
Those who will not work must not be catered to.
Finally, those who are greedy enough to take at any expense must not be tolerated.

(Although I don’t think anyone on this forum is daft enough to think I’m referring to those entrepreneurial few in society with the above comment, let me point out I’m not! I know some people create great wealth for themselves, and others in the process. I don’t think rich people are evil. I’m referring to people who will watch an industry fall simply to line there own pockets, not people who build industries!)

Anyway back onto the subject, do I think that a vote is a right as well as a privilege YES. Have I given this privilege the thought it deserves YES.

My final point is if you have been here long enough to be half a citizen and you haven’t given your time to thinking about the future of NZ, researched her history and select your vote carefully then you don’t deserve to be in this outstanding country.

Bob

[Flutterby]

My feelings entirely however I do see the other point. I spoke to someone the other day who has been here just over a year and does not have a clue who to vote for yet is going to vote becuse she can and is just going to pick someone out of the list.What is the point in that.

This is how many people in the UK vote for years before they have gathered the awareness to make an educated vote, there is so much push for people to make a vote that the details get missed!

I certainly feel better versed on NZ politics than those of my own country, because i've taken an interest and read up about it all!

[andy141]

To flip the coin over, so to speak(and not wishing to hijack the thread), what do UK ex-pat forum members think of their being able to vote in the UK elections?
Not sure if any non resident time limit applies but I'm sure if you're still technically a British Citizen you can vote in the General Election provided you have registered.

[StevieD]

VOTE BOB I SAY!!!! :laugh

[Jo Jo]

To flip the coin over, so to speak(and not wishing to hijack the thread), what do UK ex-pat forum members think of their being able to vote in the UK elections?
Not sure if any non resident time limit applies but I'm sure if you're still technically a British Citizen you can vote in the General Election provided you have registered.

I hadn't realised I could still vote in UK elections until I read this thread. My first reaction on finding this out was that I wouldn't vote as I don't live there, but on reflection, I think I will register. When I was growing up I had it drummed into me that people died so that I could have the right to vote, so now I know I can vote, I feel I should for that reason.

[JoJo76]

To flip the coin over, so to speak(and not wishing to hijack the thread), what do UK ex-pat forum members think of their being able to vote in the UK elections?
Not sure if any non resident time limit applies but I'm sure if you're still technically a British Citizen you can vote in the General Election provided you have registered.

I think that if you're not resident in a country, then you shouldn't be able to vote there. In other words, whichever country you pay taxes in, you should have have a right to vote in.

[ellenmelon]

i dont think there should be a minimum time to live here before you vote. every individual person who is eligible to vote has different knowledge of how this country works and what it needs. to say that 3 years shows that you are comitted to living here and making the country better by your daily contributions to society is a little offensive to be honest. my partner was comitted from day one when he decided to move to NZ with me. i dont think you can put a blanket time frame on it. my partner's going to be voting this election and he's been doing his research so is going in with a good idea of who he wants to vote for and why. as for immigrants not knowing what issues face NZ, well i put it you guys that i've met born and bred new zealanders who haven't a clue what fundamental issues are important to NZ and will vote based on who is going to relax the drug laws for example.