Youth enrolment lags as advocates link vote to homelessness
Only 62 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds are enrolled to vote in the 2026 general election. For rangatahi Māori, the rate is 50 percent. RNZ
The call to enrol was made at a World Homeless Day event in West Auckland. The event was organised by Youth Homelessness Collective Manaaki Rangatahi. Staff from the Electoral Commission — the agency that runs elections — were there to check enrolments and help whānau enrol. Youth and housing advocates urged whānau to haere ki te pōti (go to vote), saying political decisions affect youth homelessness.
Youth advocate Platinum, aged 20, said young people need to look closely at party policies on housing and vulnerable youth. Manaaki Rangatahi wants more attention on youth homelessness in the national debate before the general election. Waatea News
Advocates pointed to two figures. More than half of people experiencing homelessness in New Zealand are under 24. Over 28.8 percent have Māori whakapapa, while Māori make up 17.1 percent of the population.
The push comes after criticism of Budget 2026. A youth homelessness agency said the Budget had "abandoned" rangatahi experiencing homelessness. RNZ
It also comes after a new public order law. The Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill passed its final vote in Parliament, the third reading, through urgency, a fast-track process with limited debate, and became law on 24 September. The Bill was put forward by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. It gives police power to order people to move on for disorderly behaviour, begging or rough sleeping. Not following an order can lead to a fine or jail.
Manaaki Rangatahi said it was "outraged" by the proposed move-on orders when they were before Parliament. RNZ
Enrolment has lifted in recent weeks. The Electoral Commission said enrolment for 18 to 24-year-olds was 61.0 percent in its 24 September update, up from 53.9 percent on 31 July. Elections NZ In 2023, turnout among enrolled voters aged 18 to 24 was 74.2 percent. Elections NZ Enrolment is getting your name on the roll. Turnout is casting a vote that counts. The rolls tend to build late.
The broader context here is familiar under MMP, New Zealand's proportional voting system. When young people enrol late, parties have less time to find them and persuade them. Having Commission staff on site removed a barrier, by offering roll checks where rangatahi already were.
In my view, the test is not the headline rate now. It is how many of the remaining unenrolled 18 to 24-year-olds join the roll before it closes, and then cast a vote that counts.
