Climate change a top issue in NZ for first time in years

Ōtautahi - New Zealanders’ rating of the government’s performance is showing signs of stabilising, according  the latest Ipsos New Zealand issues report says.

 New Zealanders believe the National Party is the party most capable of managing two of the top five issues including inflation, cost of living, crime and law and order.

Labour was also as capable of managing two of the top five issues: housing, price of housing and healthcare, while Green Party is believed as most capable of managing climate change.

The concern among Kiwis about inflation / cost of living continues to rise sharply, with around two in three New Zealanders identifying it as a top issue.

Housing / cost of housing remains a key area of concern and is the second-equal highest issue for New Zealanders currently.

Worry about crime / law and order continues to increase and it is now the second-equal highest issue for facing New Zealanders.

Climate change has significantly risen in prominence, with more New Zealanders identifying it as a key concern than ever. As a result, climate change has re-entered the country’s top five issues for the first time since July 2019.

Concern for inflation is significantly higher than last measure, reaching heights never seen by any issue previously. Fears for inflation is significantly lower among the retired population (52 percent).

Concern for climate change and transport have also increased significantly. People aged under 50 are more concerned about housing (39 percent) than those over 50 years of age (25 percent).

Fear about crime is lower among those aged under 50 (27 percent), as well as people who identify as Māori (25 percent) or Pacific (19 percent). Concern for healthcare / hospitals is lower among people who work full time (22 percent), as well as people those of Māori (18 percent) or Pacific (12 percent) ethnicities.

The Ipsos New Zealand issues monitor report tracks what New Zealanders are concerned about, who is worried about what, and which political parties are seen to be best able to improve these matters.

The survey was conducted between February 13 and 19, interviewing 1002 New Zealanders aged 18 and older.

Cost of living has also seen a significant increase in Australia. Inflation / cost of living is the top issue by a considerable margin in New Zealand and Australia, selected by over 50 percent of respondents in both countries.

Healthcare / hospitals and housing are in the top issues in both countries. However, healthcare is a more prominent issue in Australia (39 percent) than in New Zealand (27 percent).

Housing is also slightly more prominent in Australia (34 percent) than New Zealand (33 percent). Australians are more concerned about the economy (28 percent) and petrol prices (19 percent), whereas New Zealanders are more focused on crime / law and order (33 percent), climate change (27 percent), and poverty / inequality (18 percent).