From:
Hon James Meager
To:
Out of scope
Cc:
James Meager (MIN); Out of scope
Subject:
Re: Top Priorities for Young People
Date:
Friday, 28 March 2025 9:48:17 pm
Hi Out of - thanks for providing the below priorities, very helpful to know. Look forward to
scope
catching up again soon.
From: Out of scope
Sent: Wednesday, 26 March 2025 8:35 PM
To: James Meager (MIN) <[James Meager request email]>
Cc: MYD_YAG (MSD) <[email address]>
Subject: Top Priorities for Young People
Kia ora Minister
I'm writing to share my top three issue areas facing young people right now. They are:
1.
Economy: Young people should have the opportunity to lead their own lives. An
important aspect of being able to do so is an economy that delivers for them. In
an economy fresh out of recession, young people are struggling with the cost of
housing, finding jobs and with the cost of education. Economic relief - targeted
at young people is needed.
2.
Climate change: it is widely known that this is an issue important to young
people. They will be ones who live through the impacts of a lack of action. But
this is not just a future problem, right now we are already experiencing the
effects of climate change.
3.
Mental health: It is important to remember that most young people are happy.
But a larger proportion than the rest of the population suffer with mental health
conditions. While investing in mental healthcare is important, looking at the
root cause should be a priority.
I want emphasise that these three issues are not the only issues that matter to young
people nor are they the only issues they should have their voice heard on. There are a
under the Official Information Act (1982)
range of complex issues facing young people, sometimes it’s not clear where or how
government intervention can help. It all starts with ensuring young people are at the
decision making table, sharing their experiences, concerns and ideas.
If we want to realise the vision of making Aotearoa New Zealand the best place in the
world for young people then young people must be part of the solution.
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Ngā mihi
Out of scope
From:
Hon James Meager
To:
Out of scope
Cc:
Out of scope
Subject:
Re: MYD YAG 3 key priorities for youth
Date:
Friday, 28 March 2025 9:26:14 pm
Hi Out of scope - thanks so much for sending these priorities through, they are helpful areas to
focus on.
James
From: Out of scope
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2025 6:52:07 PM
(1982)
To: James Meager Out of scope
Subject: MYD YAG 3 key priorities for youth
Act
Kia Ora,
My name is Out of scope I am a part of the Ministry of Youth Development, Youth
Advisory Group.
My three key priorities are;
1. Inclusive and Accessible Education
- Everyone has access to education, whether that's high school or alternative education.
Information
- There is continual support for everyone in education, specifically for pe (teachers having
the knowledge to teach pe and include people with disabilities) not getting sent to the
library/having to sit on the sidelines. Also in class support for people with learning
difficulties or just in general.
2. Youth voice should be included in and taken seriously at a board/ governance level/
Official
important decision making. Especially in situations where it specifically affects youth.
3. Inclusive sport and rec for everyone, being able to go to RSOs or sporting clubs in
the
your region and join. Para/accessible sports readily available for people to access. Coaches
or sporting professionals open and have knowledge to run these events/activities. Adapt a
sport/game etc
Kind Regards,
Out of scope
under
Released
From:
Hon James Meager
To:
Out of scope
Cc:
MYD YAG (MSD); Out of scope
Subject:
RE: MYD YAG - Top Priorities for Young People
Date:
Wednesday, 26 March 2025 6:36:42 pm
Out of sco
Out of sco
Thank you
, appreciate you coming back to me with these thoughts.
could you please incorporate into the
summary of views.
Regards,
James
-----
James Meager | MP for Rangitata
(1982)
Minister for the South Island | Minister for Hunting and Fishing | Minister for Youth | Associate Minister of Transport
[email address] | [email address]
South Canterbury +64 3 683 2009 | Mid Canterbury +64 3 307 1729 | Parliament +64 4 817 8246
Act
From: Out of scope
Sent: Wednesday, 26 March 2025 9:26 AM
To: James Meager Out of scope
Cc: MYD_YAG (MSD) <[email address]>
Subject: MYD YAG - Top Priorities for Young People
Kia ora Minister,
Information
As requested, here are my top priorities for youth in my communities at the moment.
I hope you find these insightful and I thank you for the opportunity to share my
thoughts.
Official
1. Short-term thinking. Young people are hyper-aware of the realities of climate
change and the need for long-term actions and forward thinking. A lot of young
the
people wish there were more consistent and ambitious treatment of climate change
by successive governments, without the issue being politicised.
2. Difficulty job hunting for graduate and part-time jobs. Many of my friends are
under
struggling to find well-paid graduate and part-time jobs in the current economy.
Those who have found graduate jobs have often been stepping into workplaces
facing restructuring, and generally, job security for those in my age group is thought
to be precarious.
3. Student Loan Living Costs vs Student Allowance Discrepancies An overhaul of
the student loan and student allowance system would be a welcome change among
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my university community. The parental income threshold is relatively low and leads
to financial inequity where many students on the student loan do not receive
parental support (despite eligibility being based on parental income), or some will
manage to receive the allowance by lying about their parents' income or relationship

(1982)
Act
Information
Official
the
under
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From:
Hon James Meager
To:
Out of scope
Cc:
Out of scope
Subject:
RE: Follow-up from Hui
Date:
Thursday, 20 March 2025 5:09:41 pm
Out of s
Hi
– thanks for sending through your priorities, really helpful. Look forward to catching up soon.
Regards,
James
-----
James Meager | MP for Rangitata
Minister for the South Island | Minister for Hunting and Fishing | Minister for Youth | Associate Minister of Transport
(1982)
[email address] | [email address]
South Canterbury +64 3 683 2009 | Mid Canterbury +64 3 307 1729 | Parliament +64 4 817 8246
From: Out of scope
Act
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 7:57 PM
To: MYD_YAG (MSD) <[email address]>
Subject: Follow-up from Hui
Talofa lava MYD,
I hope this email finds you well.
Information
This is a follow-up regarding the action required from the YAG to submit three key
priorities ahead of the in-person hui with Minister Meager. As requested, I have considered
three pressing issues that are top of mind for young people:
1.
Equity for youth voice – Ensuring that young people’s perspectives are not only heard but
valued in decision-making processes that impact their futures. In particular, ensuring
Official
minority groups like Māori and Pasifika youth are not just consulted but they’re at the
decision-making table.
2.
Preservation of Indigenous culture and language – Recognizing the importance of
the
cultural identity for youth, advocating for policies and work that protects Indigenous
knowledge, which fosters environments for languages and traditions to thrive.
3.
Positive messaging and online safety – Addressing the need for responsible digital
engagement, safeguarding youth from harmful online influences, and promoting well-
being in an era dominated by fast-paced content and "The Microwave Mentality".
under
Thank you for the time taken to read and consider my points. Please let me know if
anything further is needed from my end.
Fa'afetai lava,
Out of scope
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This email and any attachments may contain information that is confidential and
subject to legal privilege. If you are not the intended recipient, any use,
dissemination, distribution or duplication of this email and attachments is
prohibited. If you have received this email in error please notify the author
immediately and erase all copies of the email and attachments. The Ministry of
Social Development accepts no responsibility for changes made to this message or
attachments after transmission from the Ministry.
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From:
Hon James Meager
To:
Out of scope
Cc:
Out of scope
Subject:
FW: MYD YAG - Top 3 Priorities for youth - Out of scope
Date:
Wednesday, 19 March 2025 2:27:10 pm
Out of scope
Kia ora
– appreciate the below, thank you. Look forward to catching up soon.
Regards,
James
-----
James Meager | MP for Rangitata
Minister for the South Island | Minister for Hunting and Fishing | Minister for Youth | Associate Minister of Transport
(1982)
[email address] | [email address]
South Canterbury +64 3 683 2009 | Mid Canterbury +64 3 307 1729 | Parliament +64 4 817 8246
From: Out of scope
Act
Sent: Wednesday, 19 March 2025 2:18 PM
To: James Meager <Out of scope
Subject: MYD YAG - Top 3 Priorities for youth - Out of scope
Kia ora e Minitia,
Arohamai mō te īmera tūreiti, engari, anei aku toru whakaarotau mātua mō rangatahi
ki Aotearoa.
Information
Tuatahi: Āheitanga
Tuarua: Kōkiritiatanga
Official
Tuatoru: Mana taurite
the
Sorry for the late e-mail, below are my three top priorites for youth in Aotearoa.
1: Accessbility
2: Advocacy under
3: Equity
Nāku noa,
Out of scope
Released
From:
Hon James Meager
To:
Out of scope
Cc:
Out of scope
Subject:
RE: MYD Youth Advisory Group - three top priorities
Date:
Wednesday, 26 February 2025 10:43:33 am
Out of sc
Thanks
, appreciate you sending these through.
Regards,
James
-----
James Meager | MP for Rangitata
Minister for the South Island | Minister for Hunting and Fishing | Minister for Youth | Associate Minister of Transport
(1982)
[email address] | [email address]
South Canterbury +64 3 683 2009 | Mid Canterbury +64 3 307 1729 | Parliament +64 4 817 8246
From: Out of scope
Act
Sent: Wednesday, 26 February 2025 8:33 AM
To: James Meager Out of scope
Subject: MYD Youth Advisory Group - three top priorities
Kia ora Minister,
It was a pleasure to meet you last week. Thanks for inviting the group to share our top
three priorities for youth. Mine are:
Information
1. Renter’s rights. Being a renter feels like being a second class citizen, and the
cost and lack of security is a major stressor in young people’s lives.
2. Accessible transport. Many of us can’t afford or don’t want to own cars, so we
want to see investment in public transport, cycle lanes, and walkways so they
Official
are an affordable and efficient choice.
3. Climate action. We are worried about our future and want urgent mitigation as
the
well as effective adaptation planning.
Ngā mihi,
Out of
scop
under
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From:
Hon James Meager
To:
Out of scope
Subject:
FW: YAG top 3 priorities
Date:
Sunday, 23 February 2025 6:50:01 pm
Regards,
James
-----
James Meager | MP for Rangitata
Minister for the South Island | Minister for Hunting and Fishing | Minister for Youth | Associate Minister of Transport
[email address] | [email address]
(1982)
South Canterbury +64 3 683 2009 | Mid Canterbury +64 3 307 1729 | Parliament +64 4 817 8246
From: Out of scope
Act
Sent: Thursday, 20 February 2025 5:57 PM
To: James Meager <Out of scope
Subject: YAG top 3 priorities
Kia ora,
My top 3 would be:
- Accessibility for all (to learning, food, healthcare, basic needs, social life etc).
Information
- Mental Health and safety risks (Mental health, SA, Addiction, support for those who
need to recover or overcome, and preventative work).
- Meaningful engagement. Youth don't only care about climate change and mental
Official
health; you were right in your kōrero that things like regional flight costs and housing,
workers' rights - the list goes on, are all things youth have opinions on. As Out said, it
of
the
would be ideal for engaging with youth as people do others was the norm and really
listening.
Other bits:
- A big reason we (or maybe just me, but as a group, we have said this to every
under
minister) push being an advocate and cheerleader and being vocal with uplifting is
because it is something that generally is missing, and in your position its significant
how youth feel in Aotearoa. It's never a nice feeling to know you care but you don't
have people backing you, so we say this to push the idea of showing that you are that
backing. This, as well as respectfully entering youth spaces, going to them, visiting
smaller groups or places - all actions that show you are that backing as well as all the
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vocal stuff is what builds respect and trust and will allow you to get more access to
youth voice.
- Slay, you are working on the Insta skills, love to see it. It's a good tool to engage with
youth directly (like questions on your story and stuff where people can reply and
posting stuff you're up to is going to be uplifting for whatever group it involves. Out of scope
Lastly, yes regional flights are to expensive. Out of scope
(1982)
Act
Information
Official
the
under
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From:
Hon James Meager
To:
Out of scope
Subject:
FW: Out of scope MYD YAG - Three Priorities
Date:
Sunday, 23 February 2025 6:49:53 pm
Out of scope
(1982)
From: Out of scope
Act
Sent: Sunday, 23 February 2025 5:51 PM
To: James Meager <Out of scope
Subject: Out of scope - MYD YAG - Three Priorities
Hello Minister,
Thank you very much for the meeting and chance to meet you last week, it was a
privilege.
Information
As you requested below are the top three issues that myself, the groups I belong to,
and the district that I am from agree are the most pressing for youth:
Official
1. Mental Health (both acute and non-acute) support and resources for young
people. There are too many statistics available that speak to the critical nature of this
issue, and many you are already aware of. The importance of this issue is
the
supported by 9(2)(a)
2. Nutrition and Healthy Meals/Food access for younger people and families. This
under
issue comes from 9(2)(a)
As a
member of this group, we found that a survey of 9(2)(a)organisations dealing with children
(Birthright, Plunket, Barnardos, Primary and Secondary Schools, etc.) found that the main
concern across the board is for nutrition. Lots of 9(2)(a)families have children that aren't
receiving adequately balanced diets or are going hungry, which is just appalling in NZ.
3. 9(2)(a)has also found that health professionals throughout our region are concerned about
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young people's oral health and vaccination rates, and this is an issue that 9(2)(a)
supports.
Thanks for considering these issues Minister, and for doing all that you can to continue to
advance youth voice and youth interests from your position in government.
Kind regards,
Out of scope
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Nā tō rourou nā taku rourou, ka ora ai te iwi
With your food basket and my food basket, the people will thrive
Information
We want to thank and acknowledge the 47 young people
who gifted us with their kōrero during our engagements.
Their mātauranga enabled us to weave together the
findings, insights, and recommendations presented in this
Official
report.
the
By combining our experiences together, we hope to
strengthen our collective voice and work towards a future
where more youth advisory and leadership groups thrive.
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Youth Plan Action: Strengthen youth leadership and advisory
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groups
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The Youth Plan was launched with an initial suite of six actions including an action
titled ‘
Strengthen youth leadership and advisory groups’. This action is led by
Mana Mokopuna – Children and Young People’s Commission and is supported by a
number of other agencies, including MYD.
Information
Key deliverables of
Facilitate monthly
Facilitate
Facilitate
the action include:
hui for agency
Official staff networking hui and workshops for
supporting youth
wānanga for youth
agency staff
advisory and
advisory and
supporting youth
the leadership groups leadership groups advisory and
leadership groups
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