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Sustainovation Collective (2026)

Overview

This report investigated the transport aspirations and challenges of younger New Zealanders (aged 16-30) using participatory, youth‑led research methods.

Four specific engagement methods were trialled:

  • Peer‑led survey – short, youth‑designed surveys exploring costs and barriers
  • Creative conceptualisation – visual and creative ways to express transport experiences
  • “Day in the life of” – documenting real daily journeys and decisions
  • Citizen science – map‑based tools highlighting enjoyable and challenging routes

In total, 141 young people contributed data from across the country, supported by a core cohort who helped design and lead the research process.

Key findings

  1. Young New Zealanders value the same transport fundamentals as other age groups. Most of what they value (i.e., reliability, affordability, availability and safety) closely mirrors the priorities identified in research with older New Zealanders.
  2. Where young people appear to differ is:
    (a) The importance they place on the quality of the transport experience - including minimising stress, uncertainty and safety concerns.
    (b) Their limited transport budgets, with most participants wanting total weekly costs to sit between $20 and $40 - reflecting the constrained disposable income typical of this life stage.
  3. Novice drivers expressed low confidence navigating complex and unpredictable scenarios, often experiencing high stress and anxiety in places like busy intersections. 
  4. Different methods uncovered different types of perspectives.  For example, surveys surfaced cost and affordability pressures, while creative and place‑based methods revealed stress, anxiety, and emotional load.
  5. To attract young people to participate in the transport debate, engagement methods need to be perceived as legitimate, trustworthy, and connected to a clear purpose or impact. 

Recommendations

  1. Avoid presuming that young New Zealanders want fundamentally different things from the transport system.
  2. Be mindful of the resource limitations that younger people face when navigating New Zealand’s transport system.
  3. Make good use of the digital channels young people already use when engaging them in transport debates. 

Research Report