Cost of living, relationships, independence, and the future; these are some of the reasons a number of people say they are choosing not to have children or delaying.
Recently Stats NZ released the numbers for births and deaths for the 12 months to June 2026.
It showed the lowest number of registered births since 2003, with live births down by just over 2000 compared to the previous year.
For Christchurch man Liam, who asked that his last name not be used, his decision not to have children came down to financial uncertainty.
He mentioned several economic crises in his lifetime, while he and others spoken to referenced a tough job market.
Economic anxieties were also raised by Abbey Leith, a Christchurch mother of one who has chosen not to have more children.
She was concerned about her child's future prospects.
"There's no jobs for young people and with AI taking over it's only going to get worse.
"I feel like I've watched the world get worse and worse as I get older and I don't know what kind of a future they would have."
Several people interviewed mentioned or alluded to a fear of the future, and the outcomes of a variety of crises or events occurring around the world, including the cost-of-living crisis.
Leith also said that multiple generations of families used to all live under the same roof with strong connections to their neighbours and wider community. She believed this was no longer the case, with people losing connection with each other.
Several people had also made their decisions on other pretence, many citing independence and joy with their life without children.
Olivia Guthrie, another young woman who has decided not to have children, said most of her 20s were career focused, which excited her more than the idea of settling down and having kids.
"I've travelled with my best friend and had amazing experiences; I don't think we would have done that if we had babies."
Another interviewee said the loss of independence was a huge factor.
The release of the Stats NZ data followed increased scrutiny by politicians on the birthrate issue and its potential impacts.
New Zealand First is campaigning on a Kiwi Kids Grant policy, proposing $5000 per year per child for the first three years of their life; with a cap of $45,000 per family.
ACT leader David Seymour disagreed with the policy, telling media that similar things had been tried and failed overseas.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was also critical, telling Newstalk ZB that it was $400 million of untargeted spending on a policy that "is proven globally that it doesn't work".
He praised the current system of tax credits and noted his own party's policy of extending parental leave.
Labour's deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni told media the policy was not broad enough and would not address the wider pressures, while Green Party MP Teanau Tuiono argued the issue was about the wider economy and that support needs to go beyond one-off payments.
