Hipkins’ Youth MP calls for more youth employment opportunities

By Hope Milo, Youth Press Gallery, Youth Parliament 2025

Photo Caption: Leader of the Opposition Rt Hon Chris Hipkins and his Youth MP Ryan Grant-Derepa in attendance at ANZAC commemorations in Upper Hutt

Note: Articles in this newsletter edition were produced by the Youth Press Gallery at various stages of the Youth Parliament 2025 programme. Accordingly, the content presented reflects the context and timing at the date of its original writing.

Ryan Grant-Derepa, who is representing Upper Hutt in this year’s Youth Parliament, believes the greatest barrier for rangatahi (young people) today is not a lack of motivation – it’s a lack of opportunity.

“People think that young people don’t want to work. But it’s not that they don’t want to work, it’s because they can’t,” he says.

“They just don’t get a chance.”

“It’s not so much about solutions that I’m worried about, or what parts to fix. It’s actually more about the fact that you just can’t find jobs.”

These are more than just empty words for the Upper Hutt College student. At just 17, Grant-Derepa is already an active member of the Living Wage Movement, which he joined because he was “tired of watching people smile through sacrifice.”

“A birthday gift shouldn’t cost someone their dinner. A Christmas present shouldn’t mean turning off the heat,” He says.

“If work doesn’t let people live with dignity, it’s not a job, it’s debt in disguise.”

His passion for addressing unemployment is inspired by his own family’s story.

Speaking of his father, who immigrated from Ukraine before securing a future through the military, Grant-Derepa says, “He came here and basically lived the ‘Kiwi dream’, where people can come here to get better opportunities, work hard, and have it pay off.”

“I want to see that actually be true, because I know for a lot of people in the last few years who have come to New Zealand, that just hasn’t been the case.”

It is not only this passion, but Grant-Derepa’s ability to take action, that landed him the role of Chris Hipkins’ Youth MP. This is an experience he has already begun to make the most of.

“It’s shown me that, actually, good people do exist in politics. That if you’re here, you’ll find people who do care, and they’ll help you.”

When asked if he has ever considered a career in politics, he laughs and says it’s a question he’s been asked for years.

“I want to take this experience to actually see what does and doesn't work – to see if the system supports people when they’re their most vulnerable.”

“For people who have the least, even the smallest step forward can really make a difference. And if politics is where I can meet people like that, I’ll happily take it up.”

Regardless of whether Grant-Derepa follows in Hipkins’ footsteps, joins the police force, or forges an entirely different path for his future, he vows to use whatever power he is given to make a difference in his community.

“Work needs to be done, and someone, at least someone, needs to care.”

Eager, hopeful, and excited to do the work, Grent-Derepa will deliver a General Debate Speech at Youth Parliament in early July. There, he will join 122 other Youth MPs at the Beehive in Wellington, making young people’s voices heard in the very room that shapes their futures.