Local school leavers flocked to Porirua’s careers expo this year against a backdrop of young people struggling to find work nationwide.
By Justin Wong of Local Democracy Reporting
The expo at Te Rauparaha Arena on Tuesday – the third since 2024 – was organised by the Porirua City Council, government departments, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and other local not-for-profit organisations, designed for students, school leavers and anyone who wanted to find education or a career pathway.
It was held a day before data was released showing the latest unemployment rate dipped to 5.3%, although the proportion of youth aged 15-to-24 who were not in employment, education, or training (NEET) rose from 13.3% to 14.4%.
Stats NZ releases unemployment data for the March 2026 quarter. (Source: 1News)
The council’s senior economic development advisor, Shaun Freemantle, said the council organised free buses to transport about 2000 students from the local colleges to the expo, more than previous years. The expo also opened its doors for walk-ins.
“Most of the exhibitors I spoke with said there’s been a lot more engagement with youth or with people in general,” he said. He believed it could be a combination of the state of the economy, the fact that some had attended before, and that colleges had got better at explaining the expo’s kaupapa to students.
Elsdon-based manufacturer Wellington Windows and Doors was a first-time exhibitor at the expo. It brought along some tools from the factory, letting the expo visitors to have a go at glazing and de-glazing a window.
The company’s general manager, Lewis Dean, said there was a lot more engagement than he expected. At the end of the day, he had a list of names of people interested in some manufacturing vacancies that could open up in the factory later this year, and contacts with other trade organisations and school career advisers.
He also wanted to show students that there were still manufacturing jobs locally and it was a good career path to consider.
“Going out to support local events is still an important part when you’re a community employer,” Dean said. “We only employ local residents. We feel quite strongly about that.”
More than 80 stalls were at this year’s expo, where attendees could meet with education providers or potential employers and improve their CV.
Other exhibitors ranged from educational institutes like universities, to employers in technology, health and beauty, professional, construction and trades, including the banks, the police, the New Zealand Defence Force, Wellington Airport and gaming developer PikPok.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air
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