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Only four in ten young Kiwis are happy, according to a survey by Stuff NowNext.
Only four in ten New Zealanders between the ages of 18 and 34 are currently happy, the latter stuff NowNext survey has found.
More than 5,500 people from across the country responded to the survey, which ran from August 12 to 28. The data was weighted to represent nationally representative samples for gender, age, and region.
Like their older counterparts, the cost of living crisis played a dominant role in the daily lives of young Kiwis, alongside climate change and housing, the poll found.
The cost of living crisis increased significantly among younger people, with 67% of respondents aged 18-34 noticing that the crisis has had a significant impact on their lives leading to unhappiness.
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This compared to 75% for the over-75s.
RYAN ANDERSON/STUFF
People in Auckland react to the announcement of a $350 living allowance for those earning less than $70k. (Video first published May 19.)
Georgia Gumbrell, a 22-year-old social worker from Auckland, said house prices and inflation, which have pushed up the cost of goods, had exacerbated her financial stress.
“The prices of groceries are just insane. I am a recent graduate in a working role, I should do well. But I also have to consider whether I go shopping or save for other expenses.”
The situation had left her feeling disconnected from the wider economy, she said.
Hope Makiri-Henning, an 18 Year Old Countdown Worker from Auckland, said the rising costs of just about everything made life difficult for young workers just out of school.
Makiri-Henning said the wages of her full-time work did not match the rising costs of food, gas and household bills.
“It’s been a real struggle. We come out of college as young graduates and are faced with a reality where bills, living expenses and everything else are much more expensive than it has been in recent years,” Makiri-Henning said.
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Makiri-Henning said wages from her full-time job failed to keep up with the rising costs of food, gasoline and household bills. (File image)
According to the poll, people aged 18-34 were likely to leave their region in the next five years, with 36% planning to take the plane.
This was usually to work or travel abroad, or to be able to buy a house in a cheaper part of New Zealand.
Among 18-34 year olds, 65% of respondents said they were concerned about housing affordability, significantly higher than the national average of 52%.
Despite a high percentage (79%) of New Zealanders saying they plan to vote in the near future municipal electionshad kiwis trust issues when it comes to local politicians and parliamentarians.
This was lower among 18- to 34-year-olds and Māori, with 41% and 44% respectively saying they did not trust local politicians.
According to University of Auckland engineering student Simon Hays, political apathy among young people is caused by a lack of representation.
“I think a big reason why young people don’t vote is because they look at those candidates and say ‘oh they all go together in one, who I vote for doesn’t really matter’.”