'An uprising with my generation': Young Pacific voters on the future they want

Young Pacific voters PMN News has spoken to this week say they are rising up and agree it is their future on the ballot.

From the United States and London to Auckland and Wellington, six young Pacific voters share what they are voting for.

Their voices come after the PMN News-Horizon Research Pacific Issues Election Survey found only one in three Pacific 18 to 24-year-olds are certain to vote.

Andre Fa'aoso, a Tongan former PMN News reporter now a senior at Yale, says Pacific youth must make their numbers count.

"Pacific people are amongst the youngest demographic in New Zealand, and with that comes a need to ensure we impress on our political institutions what our needs are.”

But he told Pacific Mornings the major parties have "a particularly unimaginative idea for what New Zealand's future could be", and accuses the Government of trying "to disenfranchise Pacific voters through the removal of same-day enrolment".

Watch Andre Fa'aoso's full interview below.

The coalition says the change speeds up the count.

Katie-Rose Ruana Pemberton, a first time voter from the villages of Le'auva'a and Afega in Sāmoa and living in South Auckland, sees a movement building.

"It takes one person to start and then everybody starts following along with it," she told PMN News. "The more that we vote, the easier it becomes for others to follow through."he says the system is not built for young people, and the idea they do not care is not coming from youth themselves.

Georgia Broadbent-Berge says, "many older politicians will not live to see the change their policies make.' Photo/RNZ/ Diego Opatowski

Fania Kapao, who is Atiuan, Mangaian and Sāmoan from the village of Pu'apu'a in Savai'i, grew up in a working-class family in Avondale, and now serves on the local council board.

"Our parents and grandparents worked incredibly hard to create opportunities for us," she told PMN News. "I think participating in democracy is one way we continue that legacy.

"I think sometimes we confuse disillusionment with apathy. So it's not that young people don't care about politics. Politics needs to care about young people.”

In London, Georgia Broadbent-Berge, a film studies student with roots in Rarotonga and Atiu , says her vote is for more than herself.

"My part is voting for a future for myself, but also something that can benefit others."Māori, Pasifika people predominantly get the worst kinds of healthcare. That's not even a question, that's just a fact.

She also says many older politicians will not live to see the change their policies make.

Patrima Tauira says with regard to voting, "Do it. If you don't, I better not hear you complain about anything then. It doesn't take long, hurry up!"Photo/RNZ/Nosiphi Mapukata

"Whereas as a young person, you want to support something that is going to continue to help you prosper throughout your life."

Patrima Tauira, a Pukapukan and Atiuan social worker based in Porirua, says better access to information has changed her generation.

"I see that there is an uprising with my generation because we are more informed and have a better understanding with politics.

"I am here. I will be heard. I matter. I do care, so I vote."

To fence-sitters, she is blunt.

"Do it. If you don't, I better not hear you complain about anything then. It doesn't take long, hurry up!"

“Voting places are open around the country on Thursday, Friday and election day, Saturday 7 November, so there’s opportunity for everyone to vote,” says Karl Le Quesne, Chief Electoral Officer. .Photo/RNZ/Samuel Rillstone

In Auckland, Aaron Clancey-Browne, a university engineering student,, came from Rarotonga at about four for a better education.

"Maybe it seems like we don't care because we feel like we aren't being heard.

Citing the end of fees-free study he says nothing has come easy and it sometimes feels like they’re being punished for trying to make better lives for themselves.

"So I am voting because words should be backed up with action."

With only three full days left of voting, time is running out to have your say in the 2026 General Election.

“Voting places are open around the country on Thursday, Friday and election day, Saturday 7 November, so there’s opportunity for everyone to vote,” says Karl Le Quesne, Chief Electoral Officer.

It’s important that you have your say on who represents you in Parliament for the next three years. Saturday is your final chance to vote and be heard.”