Auckland, New Zealand: Today’s Taxpayers’ Union–Curia poll, conducted between 3 and 5 August, shows Labour polling at 33.6% and National at 31.8%, with neither party or coalition expected to secure a clear majority. This projection points to the likelihood of a hung Parliament following the upcoming election. Cost of living and the economy remain the top concerns for voters, yet the voices of young people are still sidelined in this political uncertainty.

Aayush Sharma, 17, founder of the youth advocacy movement Let Me Speak and student at Ormiston Senior College, says this is more than a political story, it is a pressing crisis for New Zealand’s youth.

“This poll is not just a number but a warning alarm. While politicians play power games, our generation is already paying the price with: sky-high rents, broken mental health services, and education systems that fail to prepare us for the realities we face.”

Sharma warns that a hung Parliament should not be treated as mere political drama but as a call for urgent, concrete action.

“Politicians are rearranging chairs while our future literally burns in front of our eyes. Hung Parliament isn’t an editorial problem, it’s a policy vacuum that risks leaving young people behind.”

Let Me Speak demands immediate & measurable steps from political leaders, including:

A Youth Recovery Plan within 30 Days: Cross-party agreement to fast-track policy measures that address youth mental health access, affordable housing pathways, and emergency cost-of-living relief aimed specifically at young people.

Youth Representation at the Negotiation Table: Any confidence-and-supply or coalition agreements must include a named youth representative with binding input on all policy matters affecting young people: ensuring political deals do not sacrifice the interests of the next generation.

Transparency and Accountability: Real-time public reporting on how coalition talks affect youth policy, including detailed funding commitments, timelines, and clear accountability for promises made.

Sharma emphasizes that young people are not waiting on the sidelines & are frankly tired of doing so.

“If adults want to bargain for power, they should bargain for youth demands first. This is not a generation that will wait for courage to grow on its own.”

About Let Me Speak:
Founded in 2025, Let Me Speak is a youth-led movement dedicated to amplifying the voices of ethnic and migrant youth across Aotearoa. The organisation advocates for genuine youth representation in policy decisions, education reform, and public life, striving for an inclusive and equitable future. I have attached a Let Me Speak One Pager which has more information regarding what Let Me Speak is.

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