Youngest Green candidates unite to support young workers

The Green Party’s youngest candidates unite this Saturday (18 October) to empower young workers to take the most important break of their lives.

Zachary Dorner, Gareth Hughes and Xavier Goldie will assemble at Aotea Square, outside Sky City theatres, at 11am this Saturday.

The young Green trio - the three youngest candidates from the Green Party's diverse list - will mobilise young people to vote on November 8. They will inform young workers in food outlets, shops and cinemas of their right to paid time off to vote if they work on Election Day.

“It’s vitally important young people who work Saturdays know they are entitled to time off work on November 8 so they can have their say. Educating young workers about this little-known fact may boost the tragically low youth voter turnout,” says Zachary Dorner, the party’s youngest candidate at just 19.

“With the global financial crisis and the need for urgent action on climate change, this election is critical. This is especially true for young people, who will have to face the future consequences of how these challenges are handled,” says Gareth Hughes (No. 11 on Green Party List), who could make it into Parliament if enough young people Party Vote Green.

“The three of us are standing for the Green Party because we believe the Greens are the Party for the future, and for young people,” says Xavier Goldie. “Given the poor representation of young people in Parliament, it's important for politicians to hear the voice of youth through their vote. Young people could have an impact on who can form the next Government.”

All workers are entitled to be released no later than 3pm for the rest of the day if they have to work on November 8 if they have not had a reasonable chance to vote before they started their shift. If they have to work after 3pm, for essential work, their employer must give them two hours paid leave to vote at a reasonable time earlier in the day.

What: Young candidates Zachary Dorner, Gareth Hughes and Xavier Goldie touring youth workplaces to inform young workers of their rights

When: Saturday 18 October, 11am

Where: Outside Sky City, Aotea Square

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