Minister for Youth (New Zealand)

The Minister for Youth is a minister in the New Zealand Government with responsibility for the rights and interests of young people. The Minister has oversight over the Ministry of Youth Development.^[2]

Minister for Youth
Coat of Arms of New Zealand
Flag of New Zealand
Incumbent James Meager since 24 January 2025
Ministry of Social Development and Employment
Style	The Honourable
Member of	Cabinet of New Zealand Executive Council
Reports to	Prime Minister of New Zealand
Appointer	Governor-General of New Zealand
Term length	At His Majesty's pleasure
Inaugural holder	Phil Goff
Formation	24 August 1987
Salary	$288,900[1]
Website	www.beehive.govt.nz

The post was established by the Fourth Labour Government on 24 August 1987.^[3] It was split from the Social Welfare portfolio.

History

The following ministers have held the office of Minister for Youth.^[3]

Key

  Labour   National   NZ First   Alliance

No.		Name	Portrait	Term of Office		Prime Minister
	1	Phil Goff		24 August 1987	14 August 1989		Lange
	2	Annette King		14 August 1989	2 November 1990		Palmer
							Moore
	3	Roger McClay		2 November 1990	8 November 1996		Bolger
	4	Katherine O'Regan		8 November 1996	18 December 1996
	5	Deborah Morris		18 December 1996	31 August 1998
							Shipley
	6	Tony Ryall		31 August 1998	10 December 1999
	7	Laila Harré		10 December 1999	15 August 2002		Clark
	8	John Tamihere		15 August 2002	15 October 2004
	9	Rick Barker		3 November 2004	21 December 2004
	10	Steve Maharey		21 December 2004	19 October 2005
	11	Nanaia Mahuta		19 October 2005	19 November 2008
	12	Paula Bennett		19 November 2008	30 January 2013		Key
	13	Nikki Kaye		31 January 2013	26 October 2017
							English
	14	Peeni Henare		26 October 2017	6 November 2020		Ardern
	15	Priyanca Radhakrishnan		6 November 2020	1 February 2023
							Hipkins
	16	Willow-Jean Prime		1 February 2023	27 November 2023
	17	Matt Doocey		27 November 2023	24 January 2025		Luxon
	18	James Meager		24 January 2025	present		Luxon