More than half of young Kiwi drivers in AA survey admit to texting and messaging while driving
Of the 1042 drivers aged 18 to 25 surveyed by the AA Research Foundation in 2025, 23% admitted to scrolling social media while behind the wheel.
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) estimates a driver is about four times more likely to be involved in a crash when using a phone.
The AA and Kaitiaki o Ara/Students Against Dangerous Driving (Sadd) are advocating for young drivers to turn on the do-not-disturb feature on their phones before getting behind the wheel.
Sadd general manager Donna Govorko said younger drivers are significantly more prone to phone distractions.
Turning on the feature, which silences notifications, would help young motorists stay focused while on the road, said Govorko.
“This is the generation who have grown up in a time when social media and mobile phones are rooted in our daily lives, but we cannot let distracted driving become the norm when lives are at stake.
“That’s why we want our young drivers, and indeed all drivers, to try out the ‘do not disturb’ feature on their smartphone whenever they are behind the wheel.
“By removing the temptation of alerts and vibrations, hopefully people are more likely to concentrate on the road ahead and their actions behind the wheel.”
New Zealand’s young drivers have the highest rates of road deaths in the OECD.
The rates are also substantially above those of older age groups in New Zealand, said the AA.
Its road safety spokesman, Dylan Thomsen, said if New Zealand had the same rate of road deaths among young people as Australia does, 20 fewer Kiwis would die each year.
He believes the use of the do-not-disturb feature “could be a game changer”.
Turning it on before driving is a quick, easy, and effective strategy to limit distractions, he said.
Sadd is encouraging New Zealand youth to “show up” for their peers and take responsibility for their choices in its newest road safety campaign.
“Getting your mate to buckle up, stopping your friend from driving drunk, or pointing out do-not-disturb to your driver are all simple and potentially life-saving ways our rangatahi can make a difference,” said Govorko.
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Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
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Charities turning away high numbers of volunteer applications
Charities are turning away people wanting to volunteer amidst a flood of interest they say is linked to the high rate of unemployment.
It comes as some businesses receive thousands of applications for paid roles and people look for experience anywhere they can.
The advocacy organisation Volunteering NZ has been tracking the trend. Spokesperson Margaret McLachlan said there has been a considerable rise in applications for volunteer roles across a range of charities.
Many application forms asks people to divulge if they are job hunters.
"Over the last year or so, they are seeing more people coming in who are saying they are in that category. They are looking for work but doing volunteering while that process is taking place."
"As unemployment increases and the cost of living, times are tougher for everybody."
At the same time, she said community organisations supporting social services were busier and needed more helpers.
McLachlan said depending on the organisation, they might want to do a police check, a reference check and an interview.
"In some cases it can be a process to go through and not always, and that can take some time.
"It's actually the same barriers that a person might find in finding a job, can also apply to volunteering. It's not always a easy option."
SPCA had 120 op shops and animal rescue centres across the country in which volunteers worked.
General manager of retail Cathy Crichton said they received about 1300 extra applications for volunteer roles, a 32 percent increase, from June to November 2025, compared to 2024.
"There's definitely a nudge forward which is very exciting and we're very grateful."
But it meant they were not accepting any more volunteers in some areas.
"Because the applications are up it's a unique scenario. But at this point in time, in smaller locations, we've actually got a hold in 19 locations in New Zealand where we are at capacity - and that's very rare and it's a very new trend."
Crichton said anyone seeking volunteer work should think creatively about what skills they can offer - it could be in administration or marketing.
"We'd love to welcome as many people as we could because the more hands on deck the more we can do and the more we can contribute to the community."
She said people were self-motivated to apply for volunteer work.
The unemployment rate rose to 5.3 percent in the September quarter, meaning 160,000 people were jobless. The next quarterly figures are out in February.
"There's a willingness to give back and contribute to the community. Unemployment being high really does encourage people to engage with the workforce and get experience," Crichton said.
"It really is about staying connected with the community and meeting others."
She said they had also seen an increase in young people seeking volunteer work experience.
"It's a great opportunity to get work experience and a reference and there's an appeal there as an employer...I really do think it adds value to a CV."
Stats NZ data showed over half of New Zealanders, 53 percent, volunteered during March 2025 and of those, 27.6 percent volunteered through an organisation and 40.8 percent volunteered directly for another person.
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