More young people are dropping out of school

Truancy services data shows the number of unenrolled students - those who haven't attended school for at least 20 consecutive days - was more than nine thousand at the end of March.

Taupo Pathways Youth Employment Manager Gaeleen Wilkie says it's a problem that's only worsened since Covid.

She says for the first time, she's had parents of 12-year-olds asking for help to find their children a job.