The Youth Debate
Description
Join us at Q Theatre for the biggest youth-focused election candidate debate of 2026! Doors open from 5:30pm with the debate starting at 6:15pm.
Every election, politicians debate the future of Aotearoa. They talk about housing, education, jobs, the cost of living, climate change, and the country they want to build. But the people who will live with those decisions the longest are too often left out of the conversation.
Young people have a future at stake too. Yet too often, we're spoken about rather than spoken with. The Youth Debate is about changing that.
Hosted by Make It 16, Gen-Z Aotearoa, Tomorrow Together, Social Change Collective, On A Roll, and other youth organisations from across Aotearoa, this debate brings political leaders together from across the spectrum to answer questions directly from young people ahead of the 2026 General Election.
Whether you're in high school, at university, in training, or already in work, this is your chance to challenge ideas, compare policies, and have your voice heard on the issues shaping your future.
We believe meaningful participation shouldn't begin the day you turn 18. Young people deserve opportunities to engage with our democracy, challenge ideas, and contribute to the conversations that shape our country. This Youth Debate is one way we're making sure that happens.
Whether you're voting in this election, voting for the first time, or still waiting for your chance, your voice belongs in this conversation.
This event is FREE to register - see you there!
Can't make it in person? No worries, we'll be livestreaming it from Facebook.
Agenda
- 5:30 pm - 6:15 pm
Mix & mingle
- 6:15 pm - 7:30 pm
THE DEBATE
PARTY REPRESENATIVE PANEL
We'll have candidates from the National Party, Labour Party, Green Party, ACT Party, Te Pāti Māori, New Zealand First Party, and Opportunity Party.
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke - Te Pāti Māori
Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke is the Member of Parliament for Hauraki-Waikato and a member of Te Pāti Māori. Ms Maipi-Clarke first entered Parliament in 2023 at the age of 21. She is currently a member of Parliament’s Culture Subcommittee and the Māori Affairs Select Committee.
Hon Casey Costello - New Zealand First
Casey Costello, based in Pokeno, is a former Detective Sergeant, Vice-President of the Police Association, and spokesperson for Hobson’s Pledge. Ms Costello first entered Parliament in 2023 and is the Minister of Customs, Minister for Seniors, Associate Minister of Health, Associate Minister of Immigration, and Associate Minister of Police.
Chlöe Swarbrick - Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
Chlöe Swarbrick, based in Auckland Central, is the Co-Leader of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Member of Parliament for Auckland Central. Ms Swarbrick first entered Parliament in 2017 as a Green Party list MP and has represented Auckland Central since 2020. She is the Green Party spokesperson for Climate Change, Finance, Revenue, Mental Health, and Drug Law Reform.
Arena Williams - Labour Party
Arena Williams, based in Manurewa, is the Member of Parliament for Manurewa and a member of the New Zealand Labour Party. Ms Williams first entered Parliament in 2020. She is currently Labour’s spokesperson for Building and Construction, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Youth. She has previously served as Chairperson of the Māori Affairs Committee and as Assistant Labour Whip.
Daniel Eb - Opportunity Party
Daniel Eb, based in North Auckland, is the Deputy Leader of the Opportunity Party and its candidate for Kaipara ki Mahurangi. Mr Eb is a social impact founder in the food and fibre sector, and previously founded a communications agency and Open Farms, a nationwide open farm day initiative. He is also a Nuffield scholar and former rural media commentator.
TBC - National Party
TBC - ACT Party
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
