Youth unemployment in Aotearoa is hovering near 15 percent, roughly three times the national average. In the Hutt Valley, grassroots charity Youth Inspire is pushing back against this tide. Fourteen rangatahi just graduated from the organization's 10-week employment programme, equipped with new skills and a renewed sense of possibility. Yet, as these young people step forward, the charity itself is being forced to crowdsource funds for its crucial driving school after a government funding setback.
Why is youth unemployment soaring in Aotearoa?
For young people aged 15 to 24, finding a foothold in the job market is increasingly difficult. The systemic barriers are high, particularly for vulnerable youth who lack networks, credentials, or even a driver's licence. Programmes like Youth Inspire's 10-week course aim to dismantle these barriers by offering practical work experience, communication skills, and interview preparation.
For 18-year-old graduate Rikki-Sean Galuvao, the shift has been tangible. Before the course, he kept to himself. Now, after spending time working in a retail store at the mall, he feels confident talking to people. His mother, Mana Gillespie, noticed the change immediately, describing her son as more motivated and happy to get out of the house.
Before the course I wasn't like, open to talking to people. I was more closed in ... now I'm more open to talking to people, feel more confident.
How does Youth Inspire intervene before the justice system?
While the graduation marks a personal triumph for rangatahi like Galuvao and fellow graduate Crystal McGregor, the broader structural challenges remain. McGregor pointed out that the programme delivered life lessons school never did, opening her eyes to opportunities beyond her immediate surroundings. Without it, she said, she would probably just be