New Zealand Young Labour

05/05/2026

New Zealand needs a government focused on one thing: helping Kiwis get ahead. But for 90,000 young people, they’ve been left behind. 📈

26/09/2025

We are sitting on the wrong side of history. A cowardly black sheep steering a ship contrary to our partners and allies. Young Labour stands for the immediate recognition of Palestine.

19/09/2025

tbh this is so bad we can’t even come up with a joke about it

14/08/2025

Young Labour calls on the Government to recognise the State of Palestine, now.

We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine. Over 60,000 Palestinians - children, women, and men - have been killed since the war began. We cannot turn away from what is currently unfolding in Gaza.

Entire families have been displaced. Communities destroyed. We need a permanent ceasefire now. The killing must end. The deliberate starvation of civilians must end. Lifesaving humanitarian aid must be allowed to reach those in desperate need.

New Zealand must stand up for the values we claim to uphold: justice, human rights, and the rule of law. The world is watching.

Recognising the State of Palestine is not just symbolic, it is a necessary step towards peace and towards a future where Palestinians can determine their own destiny. That step must be taken today.

12/08/2025

Our very own International Secretary — Marina! 🥹🙌🏽

International Youth Day | Youth Leading the Charge for Global Justice

Reflection by Marina Hay, Vice-President for Asia-Pacific, International Union of Socialist Youth / New Zealand Young Labour

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Alongside IUSY comrades, I had the honour of attending the recent Progressive Alliance Summit in Hyderabad. This summit had a keen focus on youth participation, and we were excited to actively take part in varied panels and conversations, including this one! 👇

The summit’s focus on youth participation reflected the spirit of International Youth Day and highlighted the urgent challenges young people face today, especially climate change, gender discrimination, and extreme political polarisation.

From a Pacific perspective, climate change is a lived reality threatening entire communities, and tackling it requires systemic economic change… a difficult conversation when many are struggling just to get by. Another major challenge is the impact of social media algorithms, which often amplify divisive and harmful content, shaping young people’s views and even voting behaviours. This digital environment creates real risks for democratic engagement and the well-being of youth worldwide.

Young people are not passive bystanders. We are active changemakers demanding that traditional political institutions evolve to include our voices meaningfully. In New Zealand, we have seen success in engaging youth through innovative platforms such as the triennial Youth Parliament. This initiative has been the birthplace for campaigns to ban conversion therapy (which became law in 2022) and to lower the voting age to 16 (an ongoing effort). However, true youth representation means placing young people in winnable elections and providing strong civic education, so they can effectively shape the future of their communities.

The summit reinforced that young progressives must be bold and defiant to address inequalities, instability, and environmental crises. Our generation carries the responsibility not only to speak but to be heard and to translate our demands into public policy. Youth leadership is essential to building solidarity across borders and imagining just, sustainable futures in a rapidly changing world.

On this International Youth Day, it is clear: youth are already leading and transforming political discourse globally. By empowering young voices and creating real opportunities for participation, we can build the resilient, inclusive democracies and societies that future generations deserve.

Ngā mihi,

Marina Hay

30/07/2025

Every government has a duty to protect the right to vote. That means ensuring that every eligible person who wants to vote can do so; freely, fairly, and without unnecessary barriers.

Last week, the government announced plans to change the voting system by removing same-day registration and voting. This move is a direct attack on our democracy.

More than 350,000 people could be shut out of participating in a fundamental democratic right: the right to choose the government that represents them.

Young people, our rangatahi, are already navigating the pressures of rising living costs, work, study, and family responsibilities. Instead of making it harder, we should be making it easier for them to have their voices heard.

Young Labour strongly opposes any changes to voting laws that suppress participation, particularly for rangatahi, Māori, Pacific peoples, and other underrepresented communities.

We will campaign against these regressive changes and stand firmly for the right of every New Zealander to vote. This is about protecting democracy, for everyone.

23/07/2025

The Govt told Sport NZ to scrap its trans-inclusive sport guidelines. That means less safety and less mana for our trans whānau in community sport.

All Rangatahi deserve to play — sport is key for our health, growth, and feeling connected. No one should be shut out for being who they are.

This is part of a culture war the govt is pushing — using trans people to divide us. That’s not the Kiwi way. Aotearoa stands for fairness, whanaungatanga, and backing each other.

Trans rangatahi belong on the field, just like everyone else.

22/07/2025

Let’s not forget how much harder this government has made your everyday life.

19/07/2025

Here at Young Labour we appreciate that it’s easy to forget just how much destruction this government has done… So, to jog your memories we’ve put together this lovely little photo album!

07/07/2025

With Uni starting up Young Labour branches are proud to be back at O-Week this month! Come along to join your local branch, chat with like-minded YL members, and make friends!

This week we’re at Vic Uni (8/7 and 9/7) and Waikato (9/7), then Canterbury and Otago (15/7), and finally Auckland (21-22/7)!

25/06/2025

E te whaea kua hinga, haere atu rā, moe mai rā.

Young Labour acknowledges the passing of Te Pāti Māori MP mō Tāmaki Makaurau, Whaea Takutai Tarsh Kemp. In Parliament, she was a voice for tino rangatiraranga, in service to her people, fighting everyday for our mokopuna me ngā reanga hou o Aotearoa.

We send our aroha to her whānau, to her colleagues in Te Pāti Māori, and to all who mourn her loss.

Haere, haere, haere atu rā. Haere ki tua o te ārai, ki ō mātua tūpuna e tatari ana.

Moe mai rā e te whaea, moe mai rā.