Budget will show National doesn't care about Youth

This year’s Budget will give young voters the opportunity to see if the current National Government is going to offer real solutions to problems such as youth unemployment.

Currently 87,000 youth are not in work, education or training and, according to Megan Woods, the Wigram MP and Labour Party Spokesperson on Youth Affairs, that number is rapidly growing.

Coincidentally, the Budget will be delivered during Youth Week, a time when all New Zealanders should celebrate achievements and contributions of New Zealand’s youth in our communities, says Megan Woods.

Youth Week which runs from 19 to 27 of May aims to highlight positive achievements of people aged 12 to 24. This year’s theme is ‘Love the skin you’re in’, focuses on the importance of New Zealand’s young people having a happy, healthy and positive self-acceptance of who they are.

“An important part of Youth Week is both recognising the positive contribution New Zealand’s young people have on our communities and the impact that adults can have on young people through being positive role models,” Megan Woods said.

“All New Zealanders can be positive role models by showing that they are comfortable in their own skin, being proud of who they are, being true to themselves and encourage all young New Zealanders to do the same.”

Megan Woods said Youth Week is also an opportunity for the government and community leaders to consider what more can be done to support young Kiwis.

“Government needs to support young people, to ensure that if young Kiwis are prepared to work hard and take responsibility, there will be opportunities for success. And it is important for all of us to instill the belief in our young people that they can succeed, and to be proud of who they are”