Source: VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai
16 October 2026
Care-experienced rangatahi from across Aotearoa will put politicians on the spot ahead of the election, questioning them directly on the issues that matter most to children and young people in care.
Hosted by VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai, the online pre-election political panel on Monday 19 October will bring together representatives from the political parties currently polling above five percent. The event is one of the few election debates in Aotearoa where politicians will be questioned exclusively by care-experienced young people, providing a unique opportunity to hear directly how parties plan to improve outcomes for tamariki and rangatahi in care.
Confirmed participants include ACT's Karen Chhour, Labour's Willow-Jean Prime, National's Dana Kirkpatrick, the Green Party's Kahurangi Carter, New Zealand First's Kym McDonald, and The Opportunities Party's Jessica Hammond, with Te Pāti Māori's representative to be confirmed. Livestreamed on the VOYCE Facebook page from 6.00pm to 7.30pm, the event will give care-experienced young people the opportunity to challenge political leaders on how they plan to address the issues affecting their lives.
Designed by and for care-experienced young people, the discussion will focus on the real-life issues they face every day, including youth justice, mental health and wellbeing, safety in care, education, transitions to independence, and political parties' commitments to VOYCE's #6Promises.
VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai Chief Executive Tracie Shipton says she is delighted to see political parties embracing the opportunity to engage directly with care-experienced young people.
“We're thrilled that these politicians are willing to step into this space and take questions directly from rangatahi with lived experience of care. It shows a willingness to listen, engage and be accountable to some of the young people most affected by government decisions. We know our rangatahi won't be asking easy questions, and we're grateful that political leaders are up for the challenge.”
Shipton says election campaigns too often overlook the voices of children and young people with care experience.
“Too often decisions are made about children and young people in care without hearing directly from those who have lived that experience. This panel turns that around, giving rangatahi the opportunity to question political leaders, seek answers, and hold them accountable for the commitments they make.”
Shipton says the event comes at a critical time in the election campaign, with many young people still deciding who will earn their vote.
“With many young voters still undecided, this panel provides a rare opportunity to move beyond campaign slogans and hear directly how political parties would improve the lives of children and young people in care. Rangatahi deserve clear answers about the issues that affect them most, and they deserve to know that their voices matter in our democracy.”
Questions have been developed by care-experienced young people themselves, reflecting their priorities, concerns, and hopes for the future.
The event will also examine how political parties intend to uphold the 6 Promises, a framework developed by VOYCE and care-experienced young people that outlines six commitments every child and young person in care should be able to expect, including being listened to, feeling safe, maintaining meaningful connections to whānau, and receiving the support they need to thrive.
“Rangatahi with care experience are the experts in their own lives. They know what is working, what is not, and where change is urgently needed. This is an opportunity for political parties to listen, respond, and show how they will deliver better outcomes for children and young people in care.”
VOYCE is encouraging caregivers, whānau, professionals, supporters and the wider community to tune in and hear directly from both young people and political leaders on the issues shaping the future of care in Aotearoa.
Event Details
What: VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai Pre-Election Political Panel
When: Monday 19 October, 6.00pm – 7.30pm
Where: Online via the VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai Facebook page
VOYCE political panel event
Who:
- Karen Chhour (ACT)
- Willow-Jean Prime (Labour)
- Dana Kirkpatrick (National)
- Kahurangi Carter (Green Party)
- Kym McDonald (New Zealand First)
- Jessica Hammond (The Opportunities Party)
- Te Pāti Māori representative (TBC)
Questioning will be led by care-experienced rangatahi from across Aotearoa.