Democracy 101: Pizza and Politics

In July, we hosted Democracy 101: Pizza and Politics, a night designed to empower young people to understand the role of local democracy and how they can actively shape the future of their communities.

Local elections are coming up fast, and we know young people’s voices are too often left out of the decision-making table. This event created a space where rangatahi could connect, share ideas, and gain tools to take part in shaping Tāmaki Makaurau.

The evening included:

Interactive activities like Design Your Future, where participants had their say on what could be better in Auckland.
Guest speakers who shared their journeys in democracy and community organising.
Local elections info to help attendees feel confident and ready to participate.
And of course, free pizza! 

Our Panel of Guest Speakers

We were privileged to be joined by four inspiring leaders working at the heart of democracy and community action:

Rahman Bashir - Principal Specialist at Auckland Council, and former President of the African Communities Forum and Sudanese Society of New Zealand. Rahman brings both professional expertise and grassroots experience, with a deep commitment to ensuring migrant and ethnic communities have a strong voice in civic life.

Esther O’Donnell - A student and rangatahi advocate who serves on Auckland Council’s Youth Advisory Panel and the cross-panel Elections Working Group. Esther is passionate about ensuring young people are heard in local politics and actively shaping the city’s future.

Marlon Drake - Lead Organiser at Te Ohu Whakawhanaunga, a movement tackling the root causes of poverty. Marlon is passionate about collective action, local empowerment, and creating a fairer future through democratic participation.

Lincoln Jones - Youth MP for Hon. Willie Jackson and Co-Director of Make It 16, the national campaign to lower the voting age. Lincoln has been a strong voice for rangatahi in politics and advocates for giving young people a real say in decisions that impact their lives.

What We Learned

Through the panel kōrero and interactive activities, participants hopefully left with:

  • A deeper understanding of how local government decisions affect everyday life.

  • Inspiration from youth leaders and organisers already shaping democracy.

  • Practical tools for how to vote, engage, and take action in their communities.

The message is clear: Be Seen. Be Heard. Democracy is strongest when everyone takes part.

We want to thank everyone who came along, connected with others, and took a step towards being part of the change they want to see in Auckland.