Election 2026: Gisborne’s first-time voters say healthcare, roads and university costs matter most

Multimedia Journalist·Gisborne Herald·9 Oct, 2026 04:00 PM8 mins to read‌Young people want to see change, and they want leaders to front up to the challenge this election. Top row (from left): Isaac Ng, Nadia Beard, Shaun Diver, Mya Wilson and Alexander Dinkel. Bottom row: Amy Main, Jake Higgins, Charlie Ireland, Rio Knight and Nellie Varey.“Aren’t you supposed to be running the country?”A month out from the election, young voters appear more disengaged than ever. Just over 62% of eligible 18-to-24-year-olds have enrolled nationwide, the lowest of any age group. But with Gisborne’s youthful demographic makeup – 40% are under – young people could be the “kingmakers” for its electorates of East Cape and Ikaroa-Rāwhiti.