Politics Blog
PM says young people should enlist in the Defence Force if they want a job
PM Christopher Luxon has just had his last Question Time of the term. Stuff
The final Question Time of the parliamentary term has just ended, and as has been the case for much of the last three years, it was another fiery one.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins clashed at one point over youth unemployment, with Luxon saying that unemployed youth should consider enlisting in the NZ Defence Force if they want a job.
Luxon was asked sarcastically by Hipkins which of his Government’s policies had helped young people most.
Hipkins then listed the Government cutting the apprenticeship boost programme, increasing student fees, and cutting financial support to 19-year-olds as examples of the lack of help for young people.
Responding to the question, Luxon said jobs were going in the Defence Force and Police.
“I will just say to any 18- or 19-year-old out there, we need two and a half thousand people in our Defence Forces. We would really welcome applications there over the next few years,” he said.
“We need more police officers; there are jobs going there too.”
According to Stats NZ, the unemployment rate for 15 to 19-year-olds in New Zealand in the June 2026 quarter was 25.3%.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins clashed at one point over youth unemployment, with Luxon saying that unemployed youth should consider enlisting in the NZ Defence Force if they want a job.
Luxon was asked sarcastically by Hipkins which of his Government’s policies had helped young people most.
Hipkins then listed the Government cutting the apprenticeship boost programme, increasing student fees, and cutting financial support to 19-year-olds as examples of the lack of help for young people.
Responding to the question, Luxon said jobs were going in the Defence Force and Police.
“I will just say to any 18- or 19-year-old out there, we need two and a half thousand people in our Defence Forces. We would really welcome applications there over the next few years,” he said.
“We need more police officers; there are jobs going there too.”
According to Stats NZ, the unemployment rate for 15 to 19-year-olds in New Zealand in the June 2026 quarter was 25.3%.