The Victoria University of Wellington Students’ Association (VUWSA) strongly opposes the recent changes made to the Jobseeker benefit, and the continued lack of support by the Government towards our students and young people.

As of June 2025, 15,045 18 and 19-year-olds were on Jobseeker support. From November 2026, parents earning more than $65,000 must support their 18–19-year-old children, with an expected 4300 18 and 19-year-olds to become ineligible for this benefit, placing stress on an already strained system for young people.

Job losses have hit rangitahi especially hard in the last year, with unemployment in 15–19-year-olds rising from 20.4 percent in September 2024 to 23.8 percent in December 2024. Stats NZ estimated that in April and May this year more people were leaving Aotearoa to go overseas than moving here, and young people are at the front of this change.

Luxon’s claims that the primary industries are crying out for young people is not enough; students don’t want seasonal jobs that offer no stability or future opportunities. If the Prime Minister expects students to “go outside Wellington” to find work, then he can instead expect them to be hopping on the first flight to Australia, where the job market is stable and more appropriate for their needs.

With over a 14% drop in graduate roles in the public service since 2024, seeking higher education to improve job chances also isn’t enough, and part-time work appropriate for the needs of students is few and far between. Students and young people want to work, but there’s not enough work for them; with Student Job Search reporting a significant drop in full-time jobs since 2023 and a current five unemployed people in Aotearoa to every one job ad.

A means-tested $65,000 parental income threshold for this benefit support is far too low, with zero consideration of other dependents or solo parents. Two full-time workers on minimum wage (before tax and levies) clear that bar by nearly $33,000 dollars. In a time where young people are already struggling, VUWSA believes these changes are tone deaf, ineffective and once again show that the Government is leaving rangitahi out in the cold.

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