New Zealand's Young Voters Fear a Future Without Jobs

Thirty minutes north of New Zealand's capital, students in Naenae are trying to better their chances of finding a job. They're assisted by Youth Inspire, a not-for-profit that helps hundreds of young people each year into training, education or work.

The area is economically deprived, but the atmosphere inside is light and camaraderie-filled as they work on CVs, learn to drive, and roleplay challenging workplace moments. However, this day-to-day reality is shaped by a desperate and lonely search for work that isn't there.

Nearly four in ten 15-24-year-olds are underutilized - the worst rate in thirty years according to Stats NZ. For voters aged 18-34, unemployment ranks as the second most pressing concern behind the cost of living. Government figures show apprenticeship numbers have slid 32% since 2022 to a fifteen-year low.

Michael, 20, joined Youth Inspire to upskill after finding nothing out there when it came to electrical apprenticeships. He's applied for at least forty entry-level jobs in the past two years but hasn't had a single interview. 'It's isolating searching for jobs alone,' he says.

Shamubeel Eaqub, chief economist at Simplicity, notes that young people bear the brunt of economic downturns and the effect can be scarring both for their career and mental health. 'By the time the economy recovers, you're going to be competing with the next cohort of young people who are now in the workforce.'

The government has promised to grow the economy to increase jobs for young people while toughening jobseeker benefit criteria for some of that cohort.