Vaping addictions, loneliness and a lack of jobs are among the issues weighing down on young people in North Canterbury.
The Waimakariri District Council recently completed a youth survey, receiving 1112 responses, as it begins work on a youth action plan to replace its youth strategy, which was last adapted in 2018.
Councillor Brent Cairns, who holds the community and development portfolio, said the 2018 strategy was modelled on the 2013 Census.
Since 2013, the district’s youth population (ages 12 to 24 years) has grown from 7917 to 9555, which represented 14.42% of the district’s population in the 2023 Census.
‘‘Previously an ageing population was seen as the biggest challenge for our district,’’ Cr Cairns said.
‘‘But it is now evident another key priority is ensuring our communities offer adequate opportunities, services, recreation and supports for our rangatahi.’’
Cr Cairns said the impact of Covid-19 and concerns around climate change has seen youth ‘‘disproportionately represented’’ in mental health statistics.
Data used to inform the council’s community development strategy, adopted earlier this year, found youth were also impacted by ‘‘loneliness’’.
‘‘Uncertainty has presented pressure on the education sector, while the economic downturn has seen high youth unemployment,’’ Cr Cairns said.
Young people were also impacted by changing technology and increased use of social media.
The council’s youth development facilitator, Lauren Tilley, said the 1112 responses represented 11.63% of youth in the district and most were school-aged.
The survey was conducted from mid-May to mid-July and addressed sport and physical activity, wellbeing, the natural environment, physical health, employment, mental health, public spaces, hobbies and recreational activity, culture and transport.
More than 90% of respondents saw addiction as an issue affecting young people, with vaping causing the most concern, followed by social media.
Ms Tilley said 570 respondents offered suggestions for support or resources to help young people dealing with addiction.
‘‘It shows it is something they are quite passionate about.’’
More than half of 18 to 20-year-olds said they faced barriers accessing health services, while nearly 20% of respondents believed young people with disabilities were not receiving enough support.
When it came to employment, respondents said the barriers included a lack of jobs, a lack of experience and some employers had a bias against young people.
The responses will feed into a draft youth action plan, which staff plan to present to the council in December before it goes out for consultation early next year.
The council’s community and recreation general manager, Chris Brown, said young people ‘‘make up the district’s future population’’, so it was important for them to be included in planning decisions.
‘‘It is in everyone’s best interests to ensure our rangatahi thrive, by supporting and empowering them with opportunities that will give them a fulfilling future.’’
- By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
• LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
