I woke up on Sunday 27 November to a beautiful day. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping… And then, as I stumbled out of bed and switched on the jug, I said aloud, “I just remembered New Zealand”.

I’m a Mt Albert resident who gave an electorate vote to David Shearer and a party vote to Green, so I’m happy that my votes counted for something locally and nationally. I’m really happy the Greens got more than 10 per cent of the vote and could get more as the special votes come in – they ran an incredibly strong campaign and have really proved they can roll with the big boys; here’s hoping the leaders’ debates involve three lecterns next time. I’m really happy that if the current make up of Parliament stands, 5.8 per cent of the house will be made up by GLBT MPs, with many more supporters and gay-friendly flag-wavers by their sides. I’m also pleased that Auckland Central is heading into its second term with a GLBT-friendly MP at the helm and a GLBT-friendly opposition list MP just up the road – that’s a great result for the electorate with the highest concentration of visible community members.

If you’re a Nat, a Green, or even a Mana or New Zealand First supporter, Decision ’11 was a pretty decent result in terms of votes – no one can deny how positive the results were for these parties. But even the most ardent Nat, Green or otherwise should be as miffed as I am at the turnout, which was the lowest it’s been in 120 years. I’ll refrain from using the colourful language I did when I opened the Sunday papers when I ask – New Zealand, what was your problem?

I hung out with people on Saturday afternoon who confessed to me they didn’t vote. I have friends I know from university who are currently struggling with job insecurities, the rising cost of household necessities and children to feed, as well as student loan debt up the wazoo – all who just sat on their hands and didn’t vote. Hearing that they didn’t vote made me sick to my stomach. I remember thinking, “If people from my political science papers aren’t heading out to vote – who is?” As it turns out, not many turned out. I remember doing a paper on political participation back at uni and learning about New Zealand’s extremely high rate of participation; now I just feel shame.

There’s that old saying about not voting and not being able to complain – it’s an adage that I’ll be raising a lot over the coming three years. Lost your job? Not my problem. Can’t afford to feed your kids? That sucks. Can’t marry the one you love or adopt a child? Gutted for you, bro. Maybe next time you’ll think twice about staying at home in bed on voting day. Because for now, it’s time to lie in that bed you made.

Hannah JV
editor@gayexpress.co.nz