Youth Unemployment Emerges as Major Election Concern for Young New Zealanders

By Benson Daniel

Unemployment has emerged as one of the biggest concerns for young voters in New Zealand as the country heads towards its November general election, with many young people increasingly worried about their ability to find work and build secure futures.

Nearly 180,000 young New Zealanders are currently either unemployed or underemployed. Among people aged 15 to 24, about 37% are classified as underutilised, the highest level recorded in three decades.

For young people trying to enter the workforce, the situation has become particularly difficult. Entry-level opportunities are increasingly scarce, while apprenticeships have also declined sharply. Apprenticeship numbers fell by 32% between 2022 and 2025, reaching their lowest level in 15 years.

For some young jobseekers, repeated applications have produced little or no response. A 20-year-old seeking an electrical apprenticeship said he had applied for at least 40 entry-level positions over two years without securing a single interview.

The pressure is extending beyond employment itself. Young people who remain without work for long periods face growing financial insecurity, social isolation and uncertainty about their future. Economists have warned that prolonged unemployment early in a person’s career can have lasting consequences, particularly when opportunities remain limited even as the wider economy begins to recover.

Unemployment now ranks among the most important issues for voters aged 18 to 34, coming just behind the cost of living, according to recent polling. The issue is therefore becoming increasingly important to political parties seeking to win over younger voters ahead of the November election.

The government has argued that economic growth remains central to creating more employment opportunities. However, critics say stronger measures are needed to help young people move directly into work, including expanded apprenticeship programmes, better training opportunities and targeted employment support.

The situation has also exposed tensions surrounding welfare support. The government is tightening eligibility requirements for some young people seeking jobseeker benefits, a move that critics say could place additional pressure on families already struggling with rising living costs.

For young people without savings or stable employment, losing access to financial support can create a difficult cycle. Without income, they may struggle to pay for transport, training or other necessities required to secure a job in the first place.

The unemployment crisis is also contributing to wider political frustration among younger voters. Some are increasingly looking beyond the country’s two major political parties, with smaller parties hoping to benefit from dissatisfaction over the economy, housing and employment prospects.

With the election approaching, young voters are likely to pay close attention to which parties can offer credible plans for creating jobs and improving economic opportunities.

For a generation already facing high living costs and an uncertain housing market, the question is no longer simply whether the economy is growing. Increasingly, they want to know whether that growth will translate into decent jobs and a realistic path towards a secure future.