The rise of the young hustlers
Teenagers in New Zealand are increasingly starting their own small businesses, such as mobile ice cream services. The trend highlights a growing entrepreneurial spirit among youth who are leveraging local opportunities to gain work experience.
Why it matters
Encourages youth financial literacy and early career development, reflecting a shift in how younger generations approach traditional employment.
More teens are catching the entrepreneurial bug and deciding to start their own businesses.
Rawan Saadi Digital Producer 3 August 2026 6 min read Caption: Izzy Talbot (L) and Zohha Hassan. Photo credit: Supplied Izzy Talbot had to come up with a business idea for a Year 13 business class. Her plan included buying a van and selling real fruit ice cream, first outside her house in Rotorua and then hitting the streets.
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