Alliance Youth Policy: Vital, Vibrant and Ready to Take on the World!
The Alliance believes that the era of seen and not heard has passed. It’s beyond time that the energy and vitality of
young New Zealanders was given a chance to shine through; that having opinions and beliefs is not punishable for under
25s; and that the vitality of youth is an asset not a liability to New Zealand’s social and economic framework.
If we continue to regard young New Zealanders as “adults in waiting” we will never allow them to be themselves. The
Alliance believes that self-expression and developing a strong identity are the keys to healthy, happy young people.
Pigeon-holing according to gender, culture, socio-economic status or sexual orientation has been an effective way of
keeping young people in check. The Alliance believes that resources should be diverted into enabling young people to
explore and express their identities.
The Alliance believes that young people are neither problems to be solved nor accidents waiting to happen.
The Alliance Youth Policy takes a fresh approach to the way that society treats young people. All young New Zealanders
should be able to grow into healthy, happy adults. This policy is about removing any barriers that prevent or inhibit
that from happening.
The highlights of our policy:
A Nationwide Commercial-free Youth Radio Network
The policy work is done, all that’s waiting is the political will to implement it. The Alliance will do that as a
priority if it is part of the next Government. Young New Zealanders have a right to a radio station that treats them as
citizens – not just consumers
The National Youth Radio Network (YRN) would showcase young talent from all over New Zealand. 50/50 music/talk, the YRN
would be a dynamic mixture of NZ music, talkback, radio drama, documentaries, information on sexual health, employment,
education and training, legal rights…
It will be run and programmed by young people, for young people
Abolition of the Youth Minimum Wage for 16 and 17 year olds and a Minimum Wage for Under 16s
Thanks to the Alliance, 18 and 19 year olds now get the adult minimum wage ($8/hr), and 16 and 17 year olds have had an
increase in their minimum wage from $4.20 an hour to $6.40 an hour. The Alliance believes young workers should have the
same employment rights and protections as adult workers – including the rate of pay.
Under16s would have a new after-school minimum wage.
Restoration of the Training Benefit for 16 and 17 year olds
Young people can leave school at the age of 16. The Alliance believes that if 16 and 17 year olds are not in work they
should be supported to gain qualifications and further training. It only costs $12 million. We believe its better to
have young people receiving an income to train than sitting at home bored.
Youth Health Centres and school health services
The Alliance will support the development of Youth One Stop Health Centres. These will be free of charge and will
address a broad range of social and health needs. We will fund more health services in schools.
Sexual and Reproductive Health
The Alliance is very concerned at the high rates of sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancies and abortion
amongst young New Zealanders. We do not support an abstinence-only approach and believe that young people have an
absolute right to sexual and reproductive health education and information.
Visits to family planning, doctors and public sexual health clinics will be free. Condoms and lubricants will be freely
available and their use will be actively promoted.
Youth Participation
The Alliance will work with youth representatives (eg youth councils, unions and other non governmental organisations)
to discuss the possibility of establishing a National Youth Council to enhance youth participation in decision-making.
The Alliance will encourage the ongoing implementation of the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa at all levels of
governance.
Drugs and Alcohol
The Alliance takes a harm minimisation approach to drug and alcohol abuse and as such supports the decriminalisation of
cannabis (Mana Motuhake MPs within the Alliance will be free to vote against the liberalisation of cannabis laws). The
Alliance supports a minimum age of 18 for the use of cannabis and alcohol. We believe that there should be more
effective enforcement of such age restrictions. We will put in place a strong public education campaign aimed at young
people, their parents and caregivers to support this policy.
Repeal of Section 59 of the Crimes Act
The Alliance will repeal s59 of the Crimes Act to ensure that children and young people have the same legal protections
against physical violence as adults. Repealing Section 59 is in line with New Zealand’s international commitments under
the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Youth Suicide Prevention, Youth Mental Health and the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa
The Alliance agrees with Youth Development experts that the best way to reduce youth suicide is through positive youth
development policies that foster healthy, strong, supported young people, as well as youth-oriented mental health
services. As a government we will continue to promote the implementation of the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa
across all government departments and at a local government and community level.
While rates of youth suicide remain so high, however, the Alliance believes that the Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy
must remain a priority across core government agencies.
A high quality evidence based approach to youth depression and drug and alcohol abuse will be taken and this will be
fully funded by government.