'Fucking extortionate': How the cost of living is swaying people's votes

By Baz Macdonald

Polls show the election issue people are most concerned about is the cost of living.

We talked with young people about how they’re dealing with the cost of living crisis and how it will impact their vote this election.

If you want to get in touch with the journalist who looked into this, email baz@renews.co.nz

More stories: 

Who's to blame for the cost of living crisis?

The cost of living has skyrocketed since the pandemic began.

No, you don't get an extra vote if you're on the Māori roll

So what is the difference between being on the Māori roll and being on the general roll?

NZ Politics in 60 Seconds?️⏱️

Watch every one of our Politics in 60 Seconds videos here!

All Episodes10

People tell us what they are struggling to afford

From June 2022 to June 2023, grocery food prices alone increased 12.8%.

Voters tell us why they’re voting - and why they’re not

At the last election over 77,000 people between the ages of 18-24 didn’t vote.

Is the ‘truancy crisis’ really a crisis? We ask students

Only 60% of students went to school regularly in Term 1 of this year.

TVNZ Young Voters' Debate

Watch the full replay of the debate on the issues affecting young people this election.

Should gender be part of sex education?

Currently there are guidelines for teaching relationship and sexuality education (RSE).

Do voters feel like youth crime is getting worse?

We asked them if the issue will affect how they vote in the upcoming election.

People tell us the last time they went to the dentist

“If it was free, fucking oath, I’m there.”

Trans hate: Young voters on whether enough is being done

Rangatahi tell us if being done to keep trans and non-binary people safe in Aotearoa.

'Fucking extortionate': How the cost of living is swaying people's votes

We talked with young people about the cost of living crisis and how it will impact their vote.

We asked people whether we should remove GST on food

“Yes please… because I’m hungry.”

Election Showdown '23

Stay informed on the biggest issues affecting rangatahi in the 2023 NZ General Election.

Read15

Policy breakdown: Housing

What will different political parties do to fix our housing crisis?

Policy breakdown: Crime and justice

Get an overview of each New Zealand political parties' policy on crime and justice.

The generational divide this election

We use Vote Compass data to get an insight on how different generations think about the big issues.

Policy breakdown: Health

Get an overview of each New Zealand political parties' policy on health.

Policy breakdown: climate change

Get an overview of each New Zealand political parties' policy on climate.

Policy breakdown: Rainbow rights

Here's what political parties say they'll do about rainbow rights if they're elected.

Policy breakdown: Cost of living

Get an overview of each New Zealand political parties' policy on cost of living.

Policy breakdown: Education

Here's what political parties say they'll do about education.

View all series