UCOL fashion design students Renee Greaves and Paige Skelton, both 20, said they haven't even started to think about who they will vote for.
"I don't follow the news," said Miss Skelton. "[Politics] is too much to think about."
Mr Merchant said young people's mind-sets needed to change.
"The fact is that their vote does count. Further to this, awareness around the various political parties and their policies may also encourage youth to vote, especially if they find themselves agreeing or disagreeing with certain policies."
Wanganui National Party MP Chester Borrows said the youth vote was not overlooked in election campaigns, and said it was an important issue for every political party.
"Like a lot of political parties, we go by the motto, 'If we get them while they're young, then we've got them for life'."
He said he believes young people are able to relate to John Key, and describes him as a "vibrant leader" who had an ability to engage with young people.
Wanganui Labour Party candidate Hamish McDouall said his party wanted to maximise young voter turn-out, but some were "completely apathetic" to politics. "They don't feel anything affects them or they don't care, like politics happens to someone else."
Both politicians said they had a social media presence and were going into schools to speak to young people about how politics worked and the importance of voting.
"If you get the seed planted, then they're more likely to vote when they're old enough," said Mr McDouall.
Mr Merchant said the Youth Committee had also been reaching young people on social media, especially through its Facebook page.
However, youth were unlikely to vote unless they had a reason to, he said.
The Chronicle also talked to Ashley Beard and Dazz Dilinger, both 18, who said they were enrolled to vote but do not know if they will. "If my mum does, I will," said Miss Beard.
Mr Merchant said New Zealand youth often had different views from older generations, and the main way they could make these views heard is by voting for who they wanted to represent them.
Haley Jones is an AUT journalism student on work experience at the Chronicle