Mental health, lack of job opportunities: The most pressing issues facing young NZers | Stuff.co.nz

Added: 2026-05-14

[00:00:00]Limited access to mental health supports and the lack of job opportunities are the two most pressing issues facing young New Zealanders today. That's according to the latest youthline ASB state of the generation report which highlights the concerns of more than a thousand 12 to 24 year olds. It reveals a generation grappling with rising living costs and constant societal pressure in an always on digital world.

[00:00:28]More than a third consider phone addiction as the most important issue with just over half saying social media companies should have stricter safety rules. Zayn Small has more.

[00:00:41]>> We're not living life, we're living through our phones. The message on display at the launch of the youthline ASB State of the Generation report. When I think about my struggles with biomemental health issues as a teenager, I I wouldn't have been able to vocalize or articulate it like you can today.

[00:01:01]That is very powerful and we need to hear more of that.

[00:01:04]>> The mental health minister's presence was pertinent given the survey of more than a thousand 12 to 24 year olds found that mental health is seen as the most important issue young people are facing at nearly 60%. There's just so much pressure and that's what they're saying in the report. So much pressure to have it all together. There's pressure from social media in relation to comparing themselves.

[00:01:27]>> The link between social media and poor mental health articulated by a panel of youth advocates.

[00:01:33]>> It makes sense that young people are coping a lot by going on social media.

[00:01:37]>> A lot of young people aren't mentally ill. They're isolated. Social media is clearly a problem and Labor wants young people to be able to access support for their mental health quickly, but also have social media platforms that have strong and independent oversight.

[00:01:52]>> The second most important issue for youth was lack of job opportunities, reflecting official figures out this week that showed the proportion of 15 to 24 year olds not in employment, education, or training has increased from 13.3% to 14.4%.

[00:02:09]there's just a lack of opportunity in general. Um, young people are finding it hard to even get interviews, let alone get the job. Um, and the cost of living pressures and the things like fuel crisis at the moment are all weighing on young people and that is what is leading them to leave the country and go to say Australia.

[00:02:26]>> Westpak research out today puts the fuel crisis into perspective, stating that spending on fuel is up about 20% compared to this time last year.

[00:02:36]However, the amount of fuel we're getting in the tank is down about 5%.

[00:02:41]>> I've heard of lots of young people who can't attend courses that they were signed up for. You know, that's concerning thinking about, you know, life outcomes for young people and being in education, employment, and training can really contribute significantly to positive life outcomes.

[00:02:56]>> The mental health minister acknowledged the government could do more to help young people. you're more open to talking about your mental health needs and thankfully you face a lot less stigma and discrimination today although nothing's perfect and you've got to do a lot better.

[00:03:13]>> Young people are the people who are going to be voting next and so you have a responsibility not to only listen to the voters of today but the voters of tomorrow and those voters of tomorrow are telling you that they want to have action on mental health and so it is your responsibility to hear them and act on that. Those future voters have now voiced their concerns in writing for all to see ahead of the election.

[00:03:34]>> Well, Zay is here now. Codane. So, the government has just announced some new uh cost of living relief. What's there?

[00:03:41]>> That's right. Although this probably won't help young people so much. The government's announced changes to the rates rebate scheme, which offers a partial refund on council rates for low-income homeowners and for super gold card holders. So, from the 1st of July, the maximum rebate will increase from $85 up to $830.

[00:03:59]And there's also some changes to the income threshold, so people don't lose their eligibility just because their incomes have risen slightly. The government says this will particularly help those seniors who are on fixed incomes dealing with recent rates hikes.

[00:04:13]And of course, this comes ahead of a government imposed cap on council rates, which are expected to be finalized later this year. Okay, thanks for that update, Zane.