# Question 1: I'm 18, starting an apprenticeship and living with my parents. I want to become financially independent but don't understand how voting works. I am considering my vote in the 2026 New Zealand general election. Which parties have practical plans for apprenticeships, entry-level jobs and wages? Collected 31 October 2026 [NZ Election 2026 · Edition 7 study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/nz-election-2026/editions/7) ## ChatGPT Answer ID: ad414832-a698-4619-966a-b0722596d81d # Understanding your vote and financial future in New Zealand First, congratulations on starting your apprenticeship. At 18, you're at an important stage: earning your own money, learning a trade and gradually becoming financially independent. It's sensible to look at politics through the things that will actually affect your life, rather than simply choosing a party because your family or friends support it. For your situation, I'd focus on five questions: 1. Apprenticeships: Will the government help you get qualified and complete your training? 2. Entry-level jobs: Will there be opportunities for young people with limited work experience? 3. Wages: What are the parties proposing for minimum wages, pay growth and employment conditions? 4. Cost of living: Will you be better able to afford transport, food, housing and savings? 5. Financial independence: Will policies make it easier to move out of your parents' home and support yourself? I'll separate established policies from election promises, because a policy announced for 2026 isn't necessarily something that has already become law. ## 1. How voting works in New Zealand New Zealand uses a system called MMP (Mixed Member Proportional). The 2026 general election is on Saturday 7 November 2026. Advance voting is available from 26 October. [What happens in a general election?](https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/about-elections/what-happens-in-a-general-election)[Policies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026](https://policy.nz/2026/party-vote/policies/incomes-and-employment) You get two votes: Vote 1 Party vote You choose the political party you want represented in Parliament. This is the more influential vote when deciding how many seats each party gets. Vote 2 Electorate vote You choose the individual candidate you want to represent your local electorate. For example, you could vote Labour for your party vote and a National candidate for your electorate vote. You don't have to vote for the same party twice. Parties generally need at least 5% of the party vote or one electorate seat to qualify for proportional representation in Parliament. The parties then negotiate if necessary to form a government. This means the party you vote for doesn't necessarily govern alone. [What happens in a general election?](https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/about-elections/what-happens-in-a-general-election) ## 2. Which parties have policies relevant to apprentices and young workers? Here are some of the documented 2026 policies that relate directly to your circumstances. ### Labour ![South Island Election Conference 2026](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/_spFKDBqOMVPoo8r35YLoGFwljs_-WWe4ur9fdZCfekzAxaUPGA75u8rI9uxOUTssI2hUZN1r4Zu1AeDrcNaxz3uHoFIyWjDpanT5s-KJ87QzxSu1uNjNL4MOHSuazRZuTy_TzC6aN4wxHHoyU_DhzMFuMCMjNBTtg2xRxOZL6c?purpose=inline) New Zealand Labour Party Labour's published apprenticeship and employment commitments include: - Expand Apprenticeship Boost to support 30,000 more apprentices. - Provide a $1,000 grant for tools. - Invest $84 million in Māori trades training. - Support local employment through school and hospital building and repair projects. - Propose a 10% student loan balance reduction for eligible graduates who meet its conditions. What this could mean for you: More employer support for apprenticeships and help with the cost of tools. Its proposed student-loan policy is more relevant if you later undertake tertiary study. [Election policy tracker: what the parties are promising](https://stories.theconversation.com/nz-policy-tracker-2026/)[Labour's Cost of Living Plan](https://www.labour.org.nz/election-policy-pages/2026-election-policy-summary-pages/cost-of-living-plan/) Read: [Labour's 2026 Cost of Living Plan](https://www.labour.org.nz/election-policy-pages/2026-election-policy-summary-pages/cost-of-living-plan/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). ### National ![Will National Party Finish 2nd in New Zealand's 2026 Election?](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/LCDs4P76HEgfCayafHeSga8GCw12Vxs2fPc3toeyLUZ-wmb6UiGRZY6bhdT1xRejtICfUd6GX2BWmI76EkpoWuffTU4g32bP_qUJp29rsfn5_Zvj5THHSYTLHSoo_5_YQyZ3zKE1WIpB4bu7raRltFl5TZFCgCcE0quf_GohkFI?purpose=inline) New Zealand National Party National's reported apprenticeship commitments include: - Abolish the training wage. - Provide a $2,000 apprentice equipment grant. - Offer employers a $2,000 completion bonus when apprentices progress through qualifications. - Increase Māori and Pasifika-led training funding by $30 million annually. - Pilot jobs for 16–24-year-olds who have been unemployed for six months, through local councils. What this could mean for you: The proposed equipment grant could help with tools and work equipment. Abolishing the training wage could also matter to what you're paid while training. The youth jobs programme is aimed at people struggling to find work, rather than people already employed in apprenticeships. [Election policy tracker: what the parties are promising](https://stories.theconversation.com/nz-policy-tracker-2026/) Read: [National's 2026 election policies](https://www.national.org.nz/policies?utm_source=chatgpt.com). ### Green Party ![Green Party NZ (@NZGreens) on X](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/xwoeA3rTn5Pu0UL1uRc6X_g8ADsfUTe55rxQEjXC_rnFR_6TPTr_9eG0LsowNOdFRtax24qB8h-LRfUtZEf42T0CC5OclOZ5katbFJAYxs0cZRyqDBlGNgF_8AV_5WTCbYonGIqLGuK095lLGrkBVw3L8vdsA06tLHVNuCJquuc?purpose=inline) Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand The Greens have published proposals including: - Abolish the training wage. - Provide a $2,000 apprentice equipment grant. - Provide $2,000 completion bonuses to employers. - Invest an additional $30 million in Māori and Pasifika apprentice support, pastoral care and job matching. - Restore Centres of Vocational Excellence. - Guarantee a pathway into education, training or employment for 16–24-year-olds who have been out of work for six months. What this could mean for you: The policies address both the financial costs of training and the risk of young people being left without work. [Good Jobs For All of Us](https://www.greens.org.nz/good_jobs_for_all_of_us) Read: [Greens' Good Jobs For All of Us policy](https://www.greens.org.nz/good_jobs_for_all_of_us?utm_source=chatgpt.com). ### ACT ![South Island Election Conference 2026](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/GcOzrFkDRkAT5J-3PLntC_t3eT3wuPG52vNnpFJ5xZAm4GrcYnInkkPCmGvxX-xsLbKhD0YWJuWw0gMUfC5fTGhQn818DeGkix5pKa7WUbVIsnjuibMwywV1KW_WLaNJZs2MuIPK7QyoR7pxqUmRZFimxeuxpwyXEYctXwiIwE8?purpose=inline) ACT New Zealand ACT takes a different approach to wages and employment. Its published proposals include: - Freeze the adult minimum wage for three years. - Introduce a training wage of 60% of the adult minimum wage for workers under 20, for their first 12 months with an employer. - Reduce regulatory costs for businesses, with the stated aim of encouraging employers to hire. What this could mean for you: ACT argues that lower employment costs could encourage businesses to hire inexperienced workers. The trade-off is that young workers could receive substantially lower pay while training. [ACT New Zealand](https://www.act.org.nz/news/act%E2%80%99s-small-business-policy-package-to-clear-red-tape)[Minimum Wage](https://retail.kiwi/insights-media/election-hub/policy-positions-minimum-wage/) Read: [ACT's small business and employment proposals](https://www.act.org.nz/news/act%E2%80%99s-small-business-policy-package-to-clear-red-tape?utm_source=chatgpt.com). ### New Zealand First ![New Zealand legislative election winner? Predictions & Od... 2026 | Polymarket](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/UmXClDd76aKEk_XyXfEEacFBHXO18HFMG1Im-weRm7tb64uGzBsRK3vWPXuiFN2zaWaNznb7eSDIJucKOhlXtwb6Lq-BYR6oxisKzHsWTxF5AsiLmtcNGDNtwCsXzgIuSp2vW4pa6pAda-tTriG23zKX1ZuknQ81HGh411pqRkM?purpose=inline) New Zealand First Its published commitments include: - Increase the minimum wage every year for the next three years, by at least inflation. - Increase Working for Families support. - Lower company tax for qualifying small and medium-sized businesses. What this could mean for you: Its minimum-wage commitment is relevant if you are starting on a lower hourly rate. Its small-business tax proposal is intended to support smaller employers, although that doesn't guarantee additional apprenticeships. [Our Policy](https://www.nzfirst.nz/policy)[Election policy tracker: what the parties are promising](https://stories.theconversation.com/nz-policy-tracker-2026/) Read: [NZ First's policy commitments](https://www.nzfirst.nz/policy?utm_source=chatgpt.com). ### Te Pāti Māori ![Te Pāti Māori - Party for Party vote - NZ Election 2023 - Policy.nz](https://images.openai.com/static-rsc-4/wTV9hxAOYzs4MX6hnGtj_ELeSR1VPbP9l046HOwhp2UZZtCfc8KwwZVB0-2n6Iinr3uWiRyM4dEa2cD5LOOtdlAjSgoNQ0gG9QXoJwemLTDmXMMEl5IUWheogu0GzYSG6_D0Qtx7eW7Xz-IH5QOBxQf00r7YeBj1geAzgX4aFok?purpose=inline) Te Pāti Māori Employment proposals reported for the 2026 election include: - Raise the minimum wage to $25 an hour. - Eliminate starting-out and youth wages. - Support Māori-led job training and employment programmes. - Support stronger collective bargaining and worker protections. - Work towards student loan write-offs for people who live and work in New Zealand for five years. What this could mean for you: Its wage proposals could increase earnings for younger workers on lower rates. Some of its training and employment policies are specifically Māori-focused. [Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis](https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/policy-analysis-2026) ## 3. Comparing the policies that matter to you Here is a simplified comparison of the proposals we've identified. | Party | Apprentice equipment support | Training wage position | Minimum wage approach | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Labour | $1,000 tools grant | Extend apprenticeship support | Review current wage policy | | National | $2,000 equipment grant | Abolish | Check full wage policy | | Greens | $2,000 equipment grant | Abolish | Move towards Living Wage | | ACT | No equivalent grant identified | Introduce 60% rate for under-20s | Freeze for three years | | NZ First | No equivalent grant identified | No specific change identified | Increase at least with inflation | | Te Pāti Māori | No equivalent grant identified | Eliminate youth and starting-out wages | Raise to $25/hour | [Election policy tracker: what the parties are promising](https://stories.theconversation.com/nz-policy-tracker-2026/)[Labour's Cost of Living Plan](https://www.labour.org.nz/election-policy-pages/2026-election-policy-summary-pages/cost-of-living-plan/)[Good Jobs For All of Us](https://www.greens.org.nz/good_jobs_for_all_of_us)[ACT New Zealand](https://www.act.org.nz/news/act%E2%80%99s-small-business-policy-package-to-clear-red-tape)[Our Policy](https://www.nzfirst.nz/policy)[Election 2026: Political Parties Policy Analysis](https://www.ccsdisabilityaction.org.nz/news/policy-analysis-2026)[Minimum Wage](https://retail.kiwi/insights-media/election-hub/policy-positions-minimum-wage/) One important distinction: an equipment grant, an employer subsidy and a wage increase are three different things. A party might offer help with your tools without necessarily increasing your hourly pay. ### Other important wage differences The current minimum wage rates, effective 1 April 2026, are: | Wage type | Hourly rate before tax | | --- | --- | | Adult minimum wage | $23.95 | | Starting-out wage | $19.16 | | Training minimum wage | $19.16 | These are legal minimum rates, not necessarily what your employer must pay you if your agreement provides a higher rate. The training wage has specific eligibility rules. [Minimum wage rates and types](https://www.employment.govt.nz/pay-and-hours/pay-and-wages/minimum-wage/minimum-wage-rates-and-types) This is worth investigating before signing your apprenticeship agreement. Your age alone doesn't determine which minimum wage applies. ## 4. What should you look at beyond your hourly wage? Becoming financially independent is about more than getting a pay rise. I'd also compare these policies: - KiwiSaver: National proposes compulsory KiwiSaver participation. Consider what employer contributions and deductions mean for your take-home pay and long-term savings. - Transport: If you need a vehicle to get to job sites, fuel prices and public transport policies matter. - Housing: Look at first-home deposit support, rental affordability and housing supply. - Tax: Compare how much of your earnings you keep after tax. - Job security: Consider whether employers have incentives to retain and train apprentices, not just recruit them. For example, National's KiwiSaver proposals and Labour's transport fare caps could affect your finances in different ways. [Election policy tracker: what the parties are promising](https://stories.theconversation.com/nz-policy-tracker-2026/)[Labour's Cost of Living Plan](https://www.labour.org.nz/election-policy-pages/2026-election-policy-summary-pages/cost-of-living-plan/)[2026 Election Policy](https://www.national.org.nz/policies) ## 5. Can you still vote in the 2026 election? There is an important deadline to know. Enrolment closed 25 October 2026 As it's now 31 October, the Electoral Commission says you cannot enrol for the 2026 election if you weren't enrolled by midnight on 25 October. - If you were already enrolled, you can vote. - If you moved house, you may still be able to cast a special vote. - If you weren't enrolled at all by the deadline, you cannot vote in this election. You can check your situation at [Vote NZ – enrolment information](https://vote.nz/2026-general-election/voting-in-the-election/enrol-by-25-october?lang=en-NZ&utm_source=chatgpt.com). [Enrol by 25 October](https://vote.nz/2026-general-election/voting-in-the-election/enrol-by-25-october?lang=en-NZ)[What to do](https://vote.nz/2026-general-election/voting-in-the-election/what-to-do) You must also meet the citizenship or residency and living-in-New-Zealand requirements. Being 18 is not the only eligibility requirement. ## 6. How I'd approach your decision Rather than asking which party is best, ask which policies matter most to you. Here are some questions worth considering: - Would you rather have a higher guaranteed wage while training, even if employers might face higher costs? - Would you prioritise grants for tools and equipment? - Would you prioritise creating more entry-level jobs? - Would you prioritise helping small businesses afford to employ apprentices? - Would you prioritise making housing and everyday living costs more affordable? There are genuine differences between the parties on these questions. For independent comparisons, I'd recommend: - [Policy.nz – education and trades policies](https://policy.nz/2026/party-vote/policies/education?utm_source=chatgpt.com). - [Policy.nz – incomes, employment and wages](https://policy.nz/2026/party-vote/policies/incomes-and-employment?utm_source=chatgpt.com). - [The Conversation – 2026 election policy tracker](https://stories.theconversation.com/nz-policy-tracker-2026/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). ## 7. Let's make this practical for your apprenticeship I'd like to help you understand how these policies translate into actual money in your pocket. One question to start: What type of apprenticeship are you starting? For example: - Electrical - Plumbing - Building or carpentry - Automotive mechanic - Engineering - Other trade That will help me explain what matters most for your particular industry, including wages during training, tools, qualification costs and employment opportunities. You don't need to know anything about politics to make an informed decision. Understanding how a government's decisions affect your working life is a very good place to start. ## Gemini Answer ID: 2662cfc3-b3ca-47bf-96fd-a3f82a846d52 Navigating the transition from school or living at home to financial independence—especially while starting an apprenticeship—is a big milestone. In New Zealand, apprentices generally earn while they learn, often starting on training or adult minimum wage rates (which are set at $19.16 and $23.95 per hour respectively as of 2026). Different political parties take distinct approaches to supporting people in your exact position—balancing wages, the cost of entering the trades, and entry-level job frameworks. --- ### Key Party Approaches to Apprenticeships, Wages, and Entry-Level Work #### 1. Labour Party Labour’s policies heavily target direct financial assistance for setting up in a trade and lowering the upfront costs of learning. * **Toolbox Grants:** Proposes a **$1,000 grant** for new apprentices to help cover the costs of essential gear, tools, uniforms, and course materials. * **Apprenticeship Boost:** Plans to expand the Apprenticeship Boost scheme to extend employer subsidies for two years at $500 a month, incentivising more businesses to take on and retain apprentices. * **Small Business & Contracting Support:** Focuses on helping small businesses (who employ many apprentices) through prompt-payment legislation for invoices and tax write-offs for equipment, which helps keep trade businesses stable. #### 2. Green Party The Greens focus heavily on lifting baseline wages and removing sub-minimum training wages so entry-level workers earn more from day one. * **Abolishing Training/Youth Wages:** Proposes completely **removing training and youth wage rates**, ensuring that all workers, including younger apprentices and trainees, receive full adult or living wage protections. * **Practical Training Support:** Proposes a universal weekly payment for compulsory practical training placements in essential roles, alongside equipment and material grants. * **Employment Standards:** Backs policies to strengthen worker rights, automatically tie minimum wage adjustments to inflation, and expand pathways for young people out of unemployment. #### 3. National / ACT (Centre-Right / Right Parties) While National and ACT focus less on direct industry subsidies or state-mandated grants, their economic strategies target business growth and employment flexibility. * **Business-Led Growth:** Their philosophy centers on reducing red tape, simplifying employment relations law, and lowering compliance and tax costs for small-to-medium businesses. * **Focus on Employment:** The underlying argument is that by making it easier and less risky for small businesses and tradespeople to hire staff, more entry-level jobs and apprenticeship openings will naturally be created organically in the private market. #### 4. New Zealand First * **Wages and Cost of Living:** Focuses on adjusting minimum wages at least in line with inflation and supporting small-and-medium enterprises by lowering company tax rates to 20% to stimulate business confidence and local hiring. --- ### How Voting Works in New Zealand If this is your first time voting, the system is designed to be straightforward: 1. **Enrol to Vote:** Because you are 18, you are legally required to enrol to vote (though voting itself is a right, not compulsory). You can check or update your details online via the Electoral Commission (**vote.nz**). 2. **Two Votes:** In a New Zealand General Election, you get two main votes: * **Your Electorate Vote:** This votes for the local Member of Parliament (MP) who will represent the specific geographic area you live in. * **Your Party Vote:** This is generally considered the **most powerful vote** because it determines the total proportion of seats each political party gets in Parliament. Even if you aren't sure about your local MP, your Party Vote goes toward supporting the party whose overall economic and apprenticeship policies align best with your goals. ### A Quick Next Step To see where you naturally land, you can look at the **Vote Compass** tool (typically active closer to or during election periods on major NZ news sites), which lets you answer a questionnaire about your views on the economy, wages, and education, matching you with the parties that share your stance. Are you more drawn to policies that offer direct cash support and grants for tools (like Labour/Green approaches), or do you lean toward broader economic changes that back small businesses to create jobs? ## Google AI Mode Answer ID: 9e61738f-bc40-42cd-bf86-22115776f21f Starting an apprenticeship and wanting to take charge of your financial future is a massive, positive step. First off, welcome to the voting public! Turning 18 means you have a direct say in the policies that affect your wallet, your work, and your daily life. * * * Part 1: How Voting Works in New Zealand In a New Zealand general election, you get **two votes** : 1. **Your Party Vote:** This decides the overall share of seats each political party gets in Parliament. It’s usually the most powerful vote because it determines which parties form the government and what general direction the country takes. 2. **Your Electorate Vote:** This chooses the local Member of Parliament (MP) who represents the specific area you live in. **The System (MMP):** NZ uses **Mixed Member Proportional (MMP)** voting. This means Parliament reflects the proportion of the total party votes cast nationwide (provided a party gets 5% of the total party vote or wins at least one local electorate seat). Because no single party usually gets more than 50% of the vote, parties often have to form coalitions or governing arrangements after the election. * * * Part 2: How Political Parties Approach Apprenticeships, Jobs, and Wages Different parties have distinct philosophies on how to support young people entering the workforce—balancing incentives for employers to take on trainees versus lifting baseline wages for entry-level workers. * **Green Party:** * **Wages & Trainees:** Focused heavily on lifting base incomes for people starting out. They have pledged to **abolish the training and starting minimum wage** (which is lower than the adult minimum wage). The Green Party's stance is that trainees and apprentices shouldn't have to live on a reduced wage while learning on the job and that everyone deserves a liveable baseline. * **Labour Party:** * **Apprenticeships & Training:** Focused on direct financial backing for both employers and apprentices through an **expanded Apprenticeship Boost** initiative. Their policy proposals include extending employer support payments to two years ($500 a month), a $1,000 toolbox grant for new starters to help buy equipment, expanding accreditation into new trades (like road construction and sports/recreation), and implementing structured mentoring pilots. * **National and Other Parties:** * **Business & Economy:** Generally focus on broader economic management, creating business confidence, and tax settings designed to encourage companies to grow and hire entry-level staff rather than targeted market interventions or raising mandates. They typically argue that keeping compliance and wage costs manageable for small-to-medium businesses is the best way to ensure employers keep taking on raw recruits and apprentices. * * * Next Steps for Your Vote Because party policies change and balance different economic trade-offs (e.g., higher mandated starting pay vs. employer subsidies that encourage businesses to take a chance on an unqualified beginner), it's worth looking directly at what each group offers: * Check out neutral summaries on Vote NZ to understand enrolment and logistics. * Read detailed manifestos directly on party websites like the Labour Party Policies or the Green Party to see which approach matches your reality as an apprentice balancing work, tools, and living costs. ## AI Overviews Answer ID: 56d3d0ab-9687-485c-baa8-dbee55cd0201 Congratulations on starting your apprenticeship! Moving toward financial independence while living with your parents is a smart strategy to build a solid financial foundation early. In New Zealand, elections are decided using the **Mixed Member Proportional (MMP) voting system, where you get two votes: a Party Vote and an Electorate Vote**. To make an informed decision for the 2026 general election, it helps to understand exactly how this system works and how the major political parties differ on the issues that affect you: apprenticeships, entry-level jobs, and wages. elections.nzWhat is MMP? | Elections NZPolicies for Party vote - NZ Election 2026 - Policy.nz * * * How Voting Works Under MMP When you go to vote, your ballot paper will have two distinct columns: www3.parliament.nzWhat is our MMP voting system? * **The Party Vote (The most important vote):** This is for the political party you want to lead the country. It determines the total percentage of seats each party gets in Parliament. A party must win either **5% of the total party vote** or at least **one local electorate seat** to enter Parliament. [What is our MMP voting system?](https://www.facebook.com/NZParliament/videos/voting-explained-new-zealand-parliament/1322083326721280/) * **The Electorate Vote:** This is for the specific person you want to represent your local area (your electorate). The candidate with the most votes in your area wins the seat. * **Forming a Government:** Because no single party usually gets more than 50% of the vote, parties must negotiate after the election to form a **coalition government**. * * * Comparison of Party Policies for Apprentices and Young Workers For the 2026 election, political parties have starkly different approaches to managing entry-level work, the training wage, and minimum wage levels. You can explore the full policy breakdown on platforms like Policy.nz or the RNZ Policy Guide. Political Party| Apprenticeship & Job Training Plans| Wage & Entry-Level Job Policies ---|---|--- **Labour**| • **Expand Apprenticeship Boost** to 2 years, providing employers $500/month. • Provide a **$1,000 grant** for tools/equipment. • Support 30,000 apprentices.| • Focus on progressive annual increases to the minimum wage. • Restore pay equity deals for care and support workers. **Greens**| • **Abolish the training wage exemption** entirely so apprentices earn full adult minimum wage immediately. • Offer **$2,000 equipment grants** to apprentices.| • Commit to raising the base minimum wage every year to match inflation and living costs. **National**| • Focus on business-led employment settings to encourage private sector job creation. • Maintain current employment structures without major additional state subsidies.| • Lean toward standard economic management, prioritizing general tax relief rather than forcing large minimum wage hikes. **ACT**| • Prioritize reducing regulatory barriers and hiring costs for businesses to create entry-level positions.| • **Freeze the adult minimum wage** for 3 years. • Introduce a lower training wage (60% of minimum wage) for workers under 20. * * * Hidden Costs & Trade-offs to Consider As an apprentice looking to become financially independent, consider these macro-economic trade-offs: * **Higher Wages vs. Job Availability:** Policies that aggressively raise the minimum wage or eliminate the training wage (like the Greens or Labour) mean more money in your pocket immediately. However, critics argue this makes it more expensive for small businesses to take on new, inexperienced workers, which could reduce the total number of entry-level openings. * **Employer Subsidies:** Programs like Labour’s _Apprenticeship Boost_ directly financialize the employer to offset the cost of teaching you. This makes you highly employable, but depends entirely on ongoing government spending. stories.theconversation.comElection policy tracker: what the parties are promisingHipkins announces Apprenticeship Boost expansion at Labour * **Wage Freezes vs. Business Growth:** A wage freeze (like ACT’s proposal) keeps operational costs lower for businesses, potentially making them more willing to hire younger staff, but it means your purchasing power may lag behind inflation if prices continue to rise. apex.org.nz2026 Election Policy Summaries - Apex Your Financial Independence Next Steps While you consider your vote, you can maximize your current living situation with your parents to build momentum: 1. **Enrol to Vote:** Make sure you are officially registered to vote by checking the rules at Vote NZ. 2. **The "Live Like You Move Out" Budget:** Since you have low overhead living at home, calculate what average rent, utilities, and groceries would cost in your area. Open a separate high-interest savings account and automatically transfer that "simulated cost of living" into it every week from your apprentice wages. This builds an emergency fund while testing your true financial independence. 3. **Invest in Your Tools Early:** If you need specific gear for your trade, allocate a portion of your current earnings to buy high-quality tools now while your living expenses are low, reducing your future startup debts.