News & Media

Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) Chair and Ōtorohanga Mayor Max Baxter has welcomed the Government’s Road to Zero Strategy saying he is pleased to see a proposed increase in driver training and licencing.

24 October 2019

Learn and earn graduates to be celebrated nationwide


Prime Minister Ardern congratulates vocational graduates



New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is congratulating the best and brightest vocational students who are…

The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs holds the position that the existing graduated driver licencing system (GDLS) does not serve young people well.   Studies show that 70,000 - 90,000 young people are facing major barriers to progressing to a full licence.

Press Release:

A hui being held tomorrow will see the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) local and central government, iwi, business, industry, community and philanthropy explore how more people gain the benefits of a driver licence.

MTFJ Education to Employment Workshop



The Mayors Taskforce for Jobs partnered with the Ministry of Education to deliver a workshop focused around bridging the gap between education and employment.

On the 10th April, the Government announced it will spend more than $5 million on a scheme to get more young people a driver's licence, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced.

In early 2019 MTFJ Chairman Mayor Max Baxter and Taskforce Coordinator Noa Woolloff went on a road trip to visit South Island Councils and to hear from the Mayors about the local challenges facing their communities in relation to youth unemployment.

Tuia Rangatahi Programme: Mayoral Training Workshop 2019  

The Tuia Mayoral Workshop, a big thank you to the Wellington City Council for supporting the training day – legends.

At the 2018 LGNZ conference in Christchurch, MTFJ and central government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to signal the parties joint intention to create better employment outcomes for young people in New Zealand.

MYD has recently launched its current funding round, a Contestable Fund that is now open for young people or organisations that need funding to deliver youth development opportunities or a new, innovative enterprise project. Applications close 2nd July 2018.