Unity says Kia ora!
We know rules matter — but who actually makes them? And how do ordinary people get a say? Today we're going to find out how New Zealand decides what happens — and why your voice matters more than you think.
📖 Who makes the rules story
Read this story together.
There are some new words in here — Parliament, MP, council — pause and talk about each one as you go.
Unity stood outside a large building in Wellington. Above the entrance, the New Zealand flag was flying. Inside, she could hear people debating — talking loudly, disagreeing, then voting.
"What is this place?" a young wren asked.
"This," said Unity, "is Parliament. It is where New Zealand's laws are made."
New Zealand is a democracy. That means the people of the country choose who is in charge. Every few years, all adults in New Zealand get to vote — to choose the people they want to represent them in Parliament. The people who are elected are called Members of Parliament, or MPs. There are 120 of them.
Parliament's main job is to make laws. When someone has an idea for a new law, it is debated — MPs argue for and against it, suggest changes, and eventually vote. If more than half the MPs vote yes, it becomes a law for the whole country.
The political party with the most support usually leads the government. Their leader becomes the Prime Minister — the person responsible for running the country day to day.
But Parliament is not the only place decisions get made. Local councils look after the things closest to where you live — the roads on your street, your local library, the parks in your neighbourhood, the water that comes out of your tap. Councillors are elected too, by the people who live in that area.
From the biggest national law to the smallest local decision, the people of New Zealand have a say. That is what democracy means.
💬Talk and think
Questions to explore together.
The second question often gets a great conversation going — especially if adults share who they have voted for and why.
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If you could make one new rule for New Zealand, what would it be and why?
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Why do you think it matters that ordinary people get to choose their leaders?
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What is one thing your local council looks after that you use or enjoy?
🔍Explore more
Things worth knowing.
Take a few minutes to read through these facts. If your child asks who you voted for last election, this is a great moment to talk about it honestly.
What is democracy?
A system where people choose their leaders by voting
How often we vote
A general election is held every three years
Local councils
Look after local roads, parks, water, libraries, and planning
Parliament
120 elected MPs who debate and vote on New Zealand's laws
Who can vote
All New Zealand citizens and permanent residents aged 18 and over
The Prime Minister
The leader of the party with the most support — runs the government
🤝Hold a family vote
Do it together.
Keep it fun and low-stakes — the point is to feel what voting actually feels like, not to win. Make sure every person's vote counts equally, regardless of age.
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Choose something your family needs to decide — what to have for dinner, where to go on the weekend, what movie to watch. Something real, not made up.
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Each person nominates one option.
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Then everyone votes — secretly, on a piece of paper.
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Count the votes together. The majority wins, and everyone agrees to go along with the result.
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Afterwards, talk about it: how did it feel to have your vote count equally? What if you didn't get the outcome you wanted — is that still fair? That is exactly what democracy feels like.
