Unenrolled young New Zealanders fell from about 200,000 to 130,000, youth group says

Democracy Lab, a youth-led group founded by 18-year-old Lincoln Jones, says the number of unenrolled 18 to 24-year-olds fell from about 200,000 to about 130,000 before enrolments closed for the 2026 election. Jones said the figure was about 200,000 a few months ago and about 130,000 by the Friday before the deadline.