Kids Voting Fun Classroom Activity
Local Council Illustrated
The purpose of this activity is to describe the range of everyday activities and services that councils perform.
Start with asking children what they think about their community – where they live and what they think might be important. Think about their street where their home is, roads, the shops, where they go to school etc. Encourage children to identify what they think councils are responsible for. This activity is a great ice-breaker for kicking off the Kidsvoting programme.
Some of the responsibilities councils manage in the poster include:
- planning for the future well-being in your community
- maintain local parks and playgrounds
- manage libraries and museums
- ensure there is clean and safe drinking water coming out of your taps
- sewage and water treatment works
- resource management through land-use and development – e.g. subdivision / development projects / consents for wind turbine projects
- run road and rail networks buses and trains in your region
- animal control, building control – e.g. wheelchair access, environmental health and liquor licensing in restaurants, bars
- collection, recycling and disposal of solid waste
- biodiversity, pest and reserve management
- cultural activities and quality of life values like safety and fun - e.g. dragon boat festivals, cafes, - creating places where people can work, play and enjoy living
- sports facilities
- port and harbour management
- flood control – e.g. stopbanks.
To finish the exercise, you could then recap on which of these issues / matters are important for the children in their communities and how voting could influence these decisions.
Information Sheets that may be useful with this activity include:
- Info Sheet 03 – What does your council do for you?
- Info Sheet 04 – How do I vote and stand for my council?
- Info Sheet 05 - How can I influence council decisions?
You may view these Information Sheets in our Resources Section, or email: localcouncils@dia.govt.nz for copies to be mailed to you.
The poster Your Local Council Illustrated has been commissioned by The Department of Internal Affairs. Copies of this poster are available in a .pdf format or printed in A3-size, encapsulated and matt laminated. Email: localcouncils@dia.govt.nz with your request.
