Media releases

21/11/11 Influence of Party Policies on Voting Intentions
The General Election 2011 is less than a week away, and the political parties have now published their election policies and explained them to the public. The question now is to what extent the policies will influence the voting pattern. In a recent article in the New Zealand Herald, Mai Chen quoted Drew Weston, author of The Political Brain, to the effect that “voters are influenced by their emotions and feelings, and policies come a distant third”.

At Research New Zealand we have also been interested in discovering to what extent voters are influenced by the policies of the political parties, so we conducted a survey of 500 people 18 years and over to find out.

We read a number of policy statements to the respondents, and asked to what extent they would be more or less likely to vote for a party promoting the policies concerned. The respondents were not informed which party promoted each policy. We then asked them which political party they would vote for in the coming General Election.

The ‘undecideds’ are, of course, the bane of any survey of voting intentions, because they generally make up 25–30 percent of the respondents. Using cluster analysis we were able to identify two groups, Left of Centre and Right of Centre purely on the basis of the policies they support, which allowed us to include the ‘undecideds’ in our analysis.

The findings can be summarised as follows:

• There is a substantial difference between the two groups and they do, in fact, correlate with the party the respondent intends to vote for, as shown in the table on page three. Of those in the Right of Centre Group 71 percent would vote for National, and in the Left of Centre Group, 52 percent would vote for Labour or the Green Party.

• Also, of those with Left of Centre views, some 31 percent would vote for the National Party. Of those with Right of Centre views, some 24 percent would vote for Labour or the Greens.

This is obviously evidence for the fact that while there is more to winning an election than the policies promoted, policies do matter, and are probably not a “distant third” as claimed by Drew Weston.
Click here to read or download the media release

17/10/11 Enrolment and Voting Intentions
The Electoral Enrolment Centre makes every effort to ensure that all eligible voters are enrolled by 26 October, when the Electoral Rolls go to print. Voters enrolled by 26 October will also get an EasyVote card and information pack in the mail, which makes voting easier and faster.

Being enrolled by 26 October ensures that eligibility to vote can easily be checked by those staffing the polling booths. It also minimises the need for Special Declaration Votes on the part of those who are eligible to vote, but did not enrol in time to be on the printed Electoral Roll.

Anyone enrolled after 26 October will have to cast a Special Declaration Vote that can take five times as long to cast as an ordinary EasyVote.

In the 2011 General Election voters also have an opportunity to indicate in a referendum whether they wish to retain the MMP electoral system, and if New Zealand were to change, which of several possible alternatives they would prefer.

Because of the referendum one might imagine that the 2011 General Election has special interest for the New Zealand voters.

In the 2008 General Election 79.5 percent of enrolled voters cast a vote, and 11.4 percent of the votes cast were Special Votes.

To establish the extent to which potential voters had enrolled, and what proportion of enrolled voters intended to vote in the 2011 General Election, Research New Zealand conducted a poll of 500 New Zealand residents, 18 years and over.

Some 88 percent of the sample was enrolled. A slightly higher proportion of females, compared to males (93 percent versus 82 percent) had enrolled. Enrolment is very much related to age; 70 percent of those in the 18-34 year age group were enrolled, compared to 93 percent of those aged 35–54, and 97 percent of those aged 55 years and over.

NZ European/Pakeha, were also more likely to have enrolled, at 90 percent, compared with 80 percent of Maori/Pacific People.

Those living in the Lower/Central North Island were also less likely to have enrolled, at 82 percent compared with 90 percent in the Upper North Island and 88 percent in the South Island.

Respondents earning $80,000 or more per year were also more likely to have enrolled at 92 percent, versus 83 percent of those earning under $40,000 per year. This is likely to be age related rather than income related, since income is strongly related to age.

Of those who had not enrolled, some 58 percent intended to enrol. Because of the small numbers that had not enrolled, further analysis of this cannot be undertaken.

Some 93 percent of those who are enrolled, plan to vote in the 2011 General Election. This compares with the 79.5 percent of enrolled voters that cast a vote in 2008.

The difference between voting intentions on the part of males compared to females is too small to suggest there is a difference in voting intentions. However, there is a clear difference by age group. In the 18–34 year age group 89 percent intend to vote, while in the age group 55 years and over, some 96 percent intend to vote. There is no difference of note between the different ethnic groups, region or income.

“These results suggest that the main factor in non-enrolment and non-voting is age”, said Research New Zealand Director”, Emanuel Kalafatelis.
Click here to read or download the media release

17/10/11 The Price of Milk
Lately there has been a great deal of controversy over the retail price of milk. Families with children have been particularly hit by what appears to be a rapid rise in the price of milk.

It has now become a political issue. Parliament’s Commerce Select Committee is conducting an inquiry, and at the same time a group of inter-departmental officials are reviewing Fonterra’s enabling legislation and the Raw Milk Regulations. Even the new CEO of Fonterra is bothered about the perception that the price of milk is too high, and has said that he would take a fresh look at the issue so as to make milk more affordable and available. In the year to the end of August 2011, the price of milk rose by 3.2% according to the Food Price Index of Statistics New Zealand.

Some 96 percent of milk is supplied by farmers to Fonterra, or to other milk processors under an arrangement with Fonterra. To ensure there is competition in the milk market, Fonterra is required by law to make milk available to other milk processors. Packaged milk is sold in a variety of brands owned by the milk processors, including Fonterra, and in brands owned by retailers such as supermarkets, who set the price to the consumer.

This makes the final price of a carton of milk somewhat less than transparent, and it is very difficult for the consumer to unravel the factors behind any increases in the price of milk at any one time. Fonterra adjusts their prices so that the return to the farmer is the same irrespective of where the milk ends up, so that export prices for dairy products have the potential to significantly influence milk prices in New Zealand. Furthermore, competition at retail level, where prices can vary substantially from one day to another, also makes it difficult for the consumer to determine who to blame for increases in the milk prices.

Research New Zealand decided to find out who or what in particular gets blamed for the increase in milk prices. Two questions were asked: Do you personally believe that the price you pay for milk is fair; and what are the main factors behind the rise in milk prices.

Most people believe the price of milk is not fair
Some 32 percent believe the price they pay for milk is fair; males more so than females (35 percent as against 29 percent). Conversely, 61 percent of the sample believe that the price is not fair (57 percent of males as against 65 percent of females).

Those in the age group 35–54 year are more likely to regard the price of milk as not being fair, at 66 percent compared to the sample as a whole at 61 percent. This is undoubtedly related to the fact this is the age group that is most likely to have dependent children.

There are no major differences by ethnic groups or region. However, those earning less than $40,000 per year are more likely than the other income groups to consider that the price they pay for milk is not fair, at 68 percent, compared to 53 percent of those earning $80,000 or more per year.

However, when considered in terms of the number of persons living in the household, and whether there are children under 16 in the household, the picture is even clearer. Where there are three or more persons in the household, 69 percent believe the price is not fair, and in the case of households with children under 16 year of age, some 70 percent believe the price is not fair.

Opinions about the reason for the price increase vary
When it comes to the reasons for the price increases, some 46 percent of the sample blamed the prices charged by Fonterra. A similar proportion blamed the price increases on the rising prices for milk products in the international market place. Some 35 percent blamed them on the profit made by supermarkets on milk sales, and 31 percent blamed them on lack of competition between the supermarket chains.

Females were more likely than males to blame the price rises on Fonterra, at 50 percent, compared with 43 percent of males. Males were more likely, at 51 percent, to blame them on the rising prices of milk products in the international market place than were women, at 41 percent. Women were also less likely than men to blame lack of competition between the supermarket chains for the price rises (27 percent as against 34 percent).

Those in the age group 55 years were more likely than others to blame the prices increases on the profits made by the supermarkets on milk sales, at 43 percent compared with the 35 percent of the sample as a whole.

There were no notable differences between the ethnic groups.

When considering the regions, the main difference was that a higher proportion of respondents in the Lower/Central North Island, 58 percent, felt the rising prices of milk products in the international market place were to blame, compared with 46 percent for the sample as a whole. Those earning $80,000 or more per year were also more likely, at 54 percent, to blame the rising prices of milk products in the international market place, than were respondents earning less.

When it comes to size of households and the presence of children under 16, we found that a higher proportion blamed Fonterra (51 percent and 50 percent respectively), compared with 46 percent for the sample as a whole.

“These are the perceptions of the public”, said Research New Zealand Director Emanuel Kalafatelis. “It will be interesting to see what conclusions the various inquiries arrive at.”
Click here to read or download the media release

09/09/11 The Rugby World Cup - Who will win the Final?
The Rugby World Cup is upon us. The opening ceremony is about to take place, followed by the first game: New Zealand versus Tonga.

Research New Zealand felt that a question asked in May 2011, about whether the economic benefits of staging the Rugby World Cup would be worth re-visiting this close to the start of the games, and that it might be worth asking some additional questions to establish the degree of interest in the Rugby World Cup, and interest in watching the final on TV (if not in the crowd at Eden Park). The big question is, of course, who will win the Rugby World Cup this time, only the second time the Rugby World Cup has been staged in New Zealand. So we included a question to see what country was expected to win the final and take the cup home.

It is true to say that the Rugby World Cup has captured the interest of the nation. Some 89 percent of New Zealanders express some level of interest in the Rugby World Cup, while 11 percent express a total lack of interest. Between these two extremes lie 12 percent who express ‘some interest’, 23 percent who express ‘moderate interest’, and a further 32 percent who express  ‘strong interest’.

While it is true to say that the overall level of interest is much the same across gender, age groups, income groups and location, those who have a ‘very strong interest’ in the Rugby World Cup are men rather than women (29 percent versus 15 percent), in the younger age group of 18–34 years (29 percent), earning less than $80,000 p.a. (22 percent), and located in the Upper North Island, dominated by Auckland (27 percent).

When it comes to watching the final on TV (if not at the park), 77 percent of respondents are planning to do so, males more so than females (83 percent versus 72 percent). Interestingly, the young (18–34 years) and the old (55 years and over) are more likely to watch the final on TV than those in the age group 35–54 years. 81 percent of the young age group and 79 percent of the old age group plan to watch the final compared to 73 percent of those in the middle age group.

And who will win the final in the view of our respondents? New Zealand, of course! Some 62 percent of New Zealanders believe the All Blacks will win the final. A few (11 percent) have their money on Australia and even fewer (five percent) have placed their faith in South Africa to ultimately take the trophy. Those in the age group 15-34 have a higher level of confidence in New Zealand winning the final at 69 percent, while in the age group 55 years and over, some 57 percent believe New Zealand will win. Those who live in the Upper North Island and the South Island have more faith in New Zealand winning (66 percent and 61 percent respectively) than those living in the Lower/Central North Island, at 54 percent.

The expectation that the economic benefits will outweigh the costs is greater now than it was in May 2011. At that stage 38 percent felt that the economic benefits would outweigh the costs. Now, as the money has been spent, 44 percent feel the economic benefits will outweigh the costs, versus 37 percent that think the costs will outweigh the economic benefits. Males (50 percent), those in the 15–34 year age group (51 percent), and those in the Upper North Island (47 percent) are the most optimistic that the economic benefits will outweigh the costs.

Are these responses mainly determined by the level of interest people have in the Rugby World Cup? We correlated the results by the level of interest and found that those who have a very strong interest in the Rugby World Cup are more convinced that New Zealand will win the final (87 percent versus 62 percent for the population in general) and more convinced that the economic benefits will outweigh the costs (65 percent versus 44 percent of the population in general).

“Let’s hope that strong interest is the same as better knowledge”, said Research New Zealand Director, Emanuel Kalafatelis.
Click here to read or download the media release

09/09/11 What makes New Zealanders proud of their Country?
The Rugby World Cup will see a very large number of visitors come to our country. New Zealanders are generally very proud of their country and one can expect that they will be quick to point out to the visitors the things about New Zealand that make them feel especially proud.

So, as part of a larger study of national identity, Research New Zealand decided to find out what our visitors were likely to be told about the achievements of New Zealand and New Zealanders when the topic comes up in conversation.

Not unexpectedly, sport came up as the number one topic (51 percent); first in the context of the All Blacks (12 percent) and then as sport in general (39 percent).

What may be surprising to some, is that in second place came pride in our societal and political achievements (24 percent), such as freedom of speech, our nuclear free policy, and the granting of the vote to women as the first country in the world, and so on. A total of 15 percent of respondents mentioned an achievement that could be classified under this heading. Pride in our culture was mentioned by seven percent - we believe ourselves to be a friendly, laid back, helpful, caring and peaceful group of people. Our high standard of living and quality of life was mentioned by two percent.

Those of us who have achieved fame, such as Sir Edmund Hillary, Kiri Te Kanawa and Hayley Westenra were mentioned by 21 percent of the respondents.

Our scientific achievements also came in for mention (13 percent), specifically Lord Ernest Rutherford and the splitting of the atom, mentioned by six percent, while seven percent mentioned our scientific achievements generally, often expressed as “Kiwi Ingenuity”.

Unexpectedly, the factor we promote constantly, our clean green image, mentioned by three percent, barely rated as an achievement. And it can’t be said that we rate our industry or business achievements particularly highly – they were mentioned by only 5 percent.

“To the list should probably be added an unusual degree of modesty, since we had expected the list to be a great deal longer”, said Research New Zealand Director, Emanuel Kalafatelis.
Click here to read or download the media release

12/07/11 Income Equality between Men and Women
In recent weeks there has been a good deal of controversy over some comments made by the CEO of EMA Northern (Employers and Manufacturers Association), Alasdair Thompson, as to the reasons for income inequality between men and women.

Research New Zealand decided to establish whether the experience or belief of New Zealanders is that there is equal pay for equal work between men and women in their work place. A question to this effect was therefore asked in our recent social poll. Please note that of the 500 respondents in the poll, 292 were employed and therefore qualified to be asked the question.

Some 85 percent of those in employment believe that there is income equality for equal work between men and women in their workplace. Males believed this to a rather greater extent than women, by 92 percent to 76 percent. “That there should be such a large difference between the perceptions of men and women should perhaps not come as a surprise”, said Research New Zealand Director, Emanuel Kalafatelis.

Interestingly, the proportions that believe that there is equal pay for equal work between men and women in their workplace are not affected by age; the proportions between the age groups vary by no more than one percentage point.

The proportion of respondents in the Lower/Central North Island who believe that there is equal pay for equal work between men and women, is slightly higher at 92 percent than in the Upper North Island at 81 percent and in the South Island at 86 percent.

Respondents earning $80,000 or more per year were also more likely to express the view that equal pay for equal work between men and women applies in their work place, at 91 percent as against 77 percent of those who earn less than $40,000 per year.
Click here to read or download the media release

12/07/11 Should Immunisation against Measles be Compulsory?
The Ministry of Health is concerned that an unusually high number of children in Auckland have been affected by an outbreak of measles. The reason given for the outbreak is that the immunisation rate is below the optimal 95 percent, which would make it much less likely that the infection spreads. Measles may be accompanied by serious health risk in a small proportion of infected people, risks that are more common than side effects from the measles vaccine itself.

This raises the question of whether measles immunisation should be compulsory for all children, or at least require a medical certificate of exemption, which would give health professionals the opportunity to inform parents of the relative risks of measles as against side effects of immunisation; or whether the current policy of letting parents choose for themselves should continue.

Research New Zealand decided to establish whether New Zealanders felt that immunisation against measles should be compulsory for all children, whether a doctor’s certificate of exemption should be required for children not immunised, or whether parents should be free to choose for themselves.

Some 29 percent of the sample believed that immunisation of children should be compulsory; the same proportion, 29 percent felt that a medical certificate of exemption should be required of children not immunised against measles, and 39 percent felt parents should be free to choose for themselves whether or not to have their children immunised.

In the age group most likely to have families, those 35–54 years old, 22 percent favoured compulsory vaccination, while 33 percent felt a medical certificate of exemption should be provided for children not immunised, and 43 percent felt parents should be free to choose for themselves. However, in the age group most likely to have families with babies and very young children, 18–34 years, some 46 percent believe parents should be free to choose.

The lowest proportion of respondents who feel immunisation against measles should be compulsory are those in the Lower/Central North Island, at 19 percent.
Click here to read or download the media release

12/07/11 Same Sex Marriages
Under New Zealand law, same sex couples can have their relationship recognised in law by entering a civil union. Same sex partners cannot marry. Recently, the State of New York made it possible for same sex partners to marry, which created some interest here in New Zealand.

Research New Zealand asked a question in their most recent social poll to establish the attitudes of New Zealanders to same sex marriages.

Some 60 percent of New Zealanders, 18 years and over, believe that same sex marriages should be permitted in New Zealand; 34 percent are opposed. Two percent state that there is little or no difference between civil unions and marriage; a further two percent do not know.

Females are in favour of same sex marriages to a larger extent than males, by 66 percent to 54 percent. Likewise, a higher proportion of males than females oppose same sex marriages at 41 percent to 27. The attitude to same sex marriage is strongly related to age group; in the age group 15–34 years, 70 percent are in favour compared to 44 percent among those 55 years and over.

There were no significant differences in attitude between respondents in other demographics such as ethnicity, area and income.
Click here to read or download the media release

16/06/11 MMP or First Past the Post – Which do the Voters Prefer?
The General Election this year will include a referendum on the voting system. Voters will be asked to indicate whether they want to retain MMP, and if not, which of four other options they would prefer, i.e. First Past the Post, Preferential Voting, Single Transferable Vote, or Supplementary Member.

Research New Zealand decided to find out whether New Zealanders do in fact want a change, and if so, what the relative level of preference is between MMP and First Past the Post. Most New Zealanders have only limited experience with the other voting systems that will be canvassed in the Referendum, and so it was felt that posing the question as a choice between the two voting systems most voters are familiar with, MMP and FPP, would give a reasonable indication of the preferences of the voting public.

The results show that there is a clear preference for MMP at 49 percent compared with FPP at 33 percent. Some five percent of respondents did not want either of the two voting systems, and 11 percent did not know.

The results indicate that voter preference is a function of age. Voters in the age group 18—34 favoured MMP (54 percent) over FPP (21 percent), whereas in the age group 55 years and over MMP was preferred by 49 percent and FPP by 40 percent. “Even so, at this stage MMP is favoured over FPP in all age groups”, said Research New Zealand Director, Emanuel Kalafatelis.

Maori and Pacific People express more of a preference for MMP than do other ethnic groups at 59 percent for MMP versus 20 percent for FPP.

The preference for MMP is slightly higher in the Lower/Central North Island at 56 percent, compared with 53 percent in the Upper North Island and 41 percent in the South Island, where, evidently, voters are more conservative. “However, there is an overall preference for MMP in all regions”, said Research New Zealand Director, Emanuel Kalafatelis.

Voters on higher incomes ($80,000 or more p.a.) favour MMP by a significant margin at 54 percent versus 47 percent of those on lower incomes (less than $40,000 p.a.).
Click here to read or download the media release

16/06/11 Fijian Rugby Players and the Rugby World Cup
The New Zealand government has banned all Fiji military personnel from entering New Zealand. Within the military in Fiji are several rugby players who play for the Fiji national team. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murray McCully, has stated that the ban on persons linked to the military regime continues to be the government’s policy. At the same time, the International Rugby Board continues its efforts, although behind the scenes, to persuade the New Zealand government to change its stance.

Research New Zealand decided to test the level of public support for the suggestion that the New Zealand government should relax its ban to allow a national rugby team from Fiji to play in the Rugby World Cup irrespective of any links the team members may have to the military regime. Accordingly, a question about this was included in Research New Zealand’s most recent social poll.

A small minority of New Zealanders, at 43 percent, favour relaxing the ban, while 49 percent wish the ban to be enforced. Among males 47 percent believe the ban should be relaxed, while 40 percent of females express this view.

The support for relaxing the ban is highest among young people in the 15–34 year age group at 65 percent. In the age groups 35–54 years and 55 years and over, support for retaining the ban is particularly strong at 62 percent and 58 percent respectively.

Support for relaxing the ban is particularly strong among Maori/Pacific People at 61 percent compared with 40 percent among NZ European/Pakeha respondents. There were no differences of note by geographic region.

It is interesting that among those earning $80,000 or more per year, 29 percent favour the ban being relaxed, compared with 64 percent who want it retained. In the income group under $40,000 per year, 58 percent want the ban to be relaxed, while 33 percent want the ban to be enforced.
Click here to read or download the media release

16/06/11 Opening the ACC Work Account up to Competition
The Minister for ACC, Dr Nick Smith, announced recently that among other changes to ACC, the Work Account would be opened up to private insurance providers, thus making it subject to competition. The objective of this change, said Dr Smith, was to keep levies affordable, provide incentives for workplace safety, and improve the services provided to claimants.

Research New Zealand decided to ask a question in its recent social poll to establish whether this change had support among New Zealanders.

A small majority of 50 percent were in favour of the Work Account being opened up to competition; some 43 percent were against. There were no significant differences between males and females in this respect.

The lowest level of support for opening the Work Account up to competition was found among those in the age group 55 years and over at 37 percent with 54 percent opposed. In the age groups 15–34 years and 35-54 years, the proportions in favour was 56 percent and 55 percent respectively.

There were no significant difference between the various ethnic groups in their support or otherwise for opening up the ACC Work Account to competition. Likewise, there were no significant differences between the geographical regions, or between the various income groups.
Click here to read or download the media release

16/06/11 Are Prisons a Moral and Fiscal Failure?
In May the Minister of Finance, Bill English, called prisons a ‘moral and fiscal failure’, and said that after the completion of the new Men’s Prison planned at Wiri, there will be no new prisons built. The government’s aim would instead be to reduce crime and recidivism. "The public service has done a lot of very smart work on this and, and over the next two or three years, we're going to see the need for prison beds drop a bit at least."

Predictably his statement gave rise to a certain amount of controversy, and Research New Zealand therefore decided to see whether there was public support for the sentiment that prisons are “a moral and fiscal failure”. A question about this was therefore included the most recent Research New Zealand social poll.

There is, indeed, strong support for the sentiment expressed by the Minister of Finance. Some 51 percent of respondents agreed with the statement and 29 percent disagreed. Nineteen percent did not express an opinion. The support came particularly from the age group 55 years and over, where 56 percent agreed with the statement, compared with the 15–34 year age group, where 45 percent agreed with the statement. In this age group there was also a high level of don’t know responses at 25 percent, compared with 16 percent in the age group 55 years and over.

Interestingly, while the support for the sentiment was very similar across all regions, disagreement, at 34 percent, was highest in the Lower/Central North Island, and at 26 percent, lowest in the Upper North Island. Those in the highest income group ($80,000 or more p.a.) expressed a higher than average level of support for the statement, at 56 percent.
Click here to read or download the media release

13/06/11 Financial and Employment Expectations of New Zealanders
At a time when the latest survey of business confidence shows a high level of optimism, it is interesting to note that many New Zealanders are not optimistic about their financial prospects or job security.

For some years now Research New Zealand has measured whether the financial situation of New Zealanders has improved in the last 12 months, whether it is expected to improve in the next 12 months, and whether those who are employed feel that their job is secure.

It is interesting to note that in April 2009 and 2010, 48 percent and 49 percent respectively reported that their current situation is worse than it had been twelve months earlier. In May 2011 the proportion was 45 percent.

Also in 2009 and 2010, the proportions that reported their financial situation had improved in the last 12 months was 26 percent and 27 percent respectively, but dropped to 14 percent in 2011.

Interestingly, those in the May 2011 social poll who particularly felt that their situation had become worse in the last 12 months, were the 35–54 age group (53 percent); those living in the South Island (51 percent) and those on incomes of $40,000 or less (50 percent). Those that felt their financial situation had improved were the age group 18–34 (25 percent); Maori and Pacific People (20 percent); and those earning $80,000 or more per year (21 percent).

A similar trend to the one noted above was present in the responses to the question about expectations in the next 12 months. In 2009 and 2010 the proportions who felt their financial situation would improve were 43 percent and 56 percent, a strong upward trend. However, in May 2011 that had dropped to 23 percent, reversing the trend.

Those in the May 2011 social poll, who particularly felt their financial circumstances would get better in the next 12 months, are those 18–34 years (38 percent) and Maori and Pacific People (30 percent). Those who felt their financial circumstances would get worse, were those 55 years and over at 41 percent and those on incomes under $40,000 at 37 percent.

There has also been a change in confidence that one’s job is secure. In 2009 and 2010 79 percent and 76 percent respectively felt confident their jobs were secure, while in 2011 that had dropped to 65 percent, a significant fall. Those in the May 2011 poll who are particularly concerned about their job security are the 35–54 year age group at 30 percent, and those in the Lower/Central North Island at 29 percent. Those who particularly felt their jobs are secure are those in the 18–34 year age group at 73 percent, those who live in the Upper North Island or the South Island at 68 percent and 69 percent respectively.
Click here to read or download the media release

13/06/11 How the New Zealand Public View the Causes of Child Abuse
In recent times child abuse has again been at the forefront of media attention as a result of a number of high profile court cases. There has also been much discussion about the causes of child abuse, and the views expressed seem to fall into three major groups, cultural, economic and the experience of parents involved, although, of course, there may be many other contributing factors.

Research New Zealand decided to find out how the public view the causes of child abuse and asked a question in the most recent social poll to examine this question. The respondents could select more than one issue as a causal factor in child abuse cases.

The view that child abuse is a cultural issue was supported by 51 percent of the sample; by 55 percent of those in the age group 55 years and over; by 58 percent of those who live in the Upper North Island; and by 55 percent of those in the income group $80,000 or more per year.

The view that child abuse is more a question of parental experience was supported by 36 percent of the sample; by 40 percent of those in the age group 35–54 years; by 40 percent of Maori/Pacific People; and by 44 percent of those with incomes of $40,000–$79,999 per year.

That child abuse is more an economic issue was supported by 34 percent of the sample; by 40 percent of those in the 35-54 year age group; by 38 percent of respondents living in the South Island; and by 39% of those earning $80,000 or more per year.
Click here to read or download the media release

31/05/11 Do Price Increases in Petrol and Diesel Affect Driving Habits?
Despite the recent falls in the cost of petrol and diesel, the long term trend for fuel prices continues to be upwards. Whether prices will fall further because of the record high exchange rate for the New Zealand dollar remains to be seen.

Driving behaviour has the potential to affect fuel consumption and Research New Zealand therefore decided to find out whether New Zealand drivers have adjusted their driving behaviour to minimise their fuel consumption.

Of the 469 drivers in our sample, 50 percent said they had changed their driving habits as a result of the increases in fuel prices, and 50 percent said they had not. Of those in the age group 55 years and over 43 percent had changed their driving habits and 56 percent had not. Some 58 percent of Maori/Pacific People had changed their driving habits to minimise their fuel consumption, compared with 42 percent who had not done so.

Among those who earn $40,000–$79,999 p.a. 54 percent had changed their driving habits to minimise their fuel consumption, while 44 percent had not, and in the income group $80,000 or more, 41 percent had changed their driving habits while 59 percent had not. There were no significant differences by region.
Click here to read or download the media release

31/05/11 The Rugby World Cup: Will the economic benefits outweigh the costs?
Broadcast on Radio New Zealand’s Afternoons with Jim Mora programme on 1 June 2011.

The Rugby World Cup will be held in New Zealand during September and October this year. The question has been asked whether the economic benefits will outweigh the costs. The Minister of Finance has said that New Zealand will suffer a financial loss from staging the Rugby World Cup, but has not provided an estimate of the loss.

Research New Zealand decided to find out whether New Zealanders generally expect the economic benefits of staging the Rugby World Cup to outweigh the costs and asked a question to this effect in its recent social poll.

The majority of New Zealanders support the expectation of the Minister of Finance that staging the Rugby World Cup will result in a loss. Some 46 percent believe this as against 38 percent who believe the economic benefits will outweigh the costs. Males were more optimistic than females (43 percent as against 33 percent) that the benefits will outweigh the costs.

That optimism is clearly related to age. 53 percent of those under 35 years of age believe the benefits will outweigh the costs, dropping to 33 percent in the age group 35–44 years and 26 percent in the age group 55 years and over.

The results did not differ by region, but at 45 percent, those in the higher income group ($80,000 or more per year), were also more optimistic that the benefits would outweigh the costs than the sample as a whole, at 38 percent.
Click here to read or download the media release

01/04/11 Are we prepared for an earthquake?
The earthquake in Christchurch in February 2011 was a salutary reminder that New Zealand will, from time to time, experience a disastrous earthquake. What is perhaps less well known is that there is no place in New Zealand that is immune from this threat. The earthquake in Japan reminded us, not only of the earthquake risk, but also of the threat that a tsunami may pose when an earthquake strikes.

No doubt many people have been examining the state of their own earthquake preparedness. Research New Zealand decided to find out whether the earthquake in Christchurch had prompted people to get, or upgrade, an existing earthquake survival kit.

It should be noted that because of the earthquake, and the dislocation it has caused, we did not interview in Christchurch. The poll therefore represents the thinking of New Zealanders who live outside the region most affected by the earthquake.

The key findings were: (1) that 48 percent of New Zealand households do not have an earthquake survival kit at home; and (2) that some 18 percent of households obtained or put together an earthquake survival kit as a result of the Canterbury Earthquake.

In the Lower or Central North Island earthquake preparedness is particularly high in that only 30 percent of households do not have an earthquake survival kit. In the Upper North Island 59 percent of households do not have an earthquake survival kit and in the South Island some 43 percent of homes do not have an earthquake survival kit. The young, those in the 15–34 year age group, are particularly prone to neglect such matters since 55 percent of their households do not have an earthquake survival kit.

The Canterbury Earthquake did have an effect on earthquake preparedness in households in that some 18 percent of households have put together an earthquake survival kit, while 28 percent have checked or updated an existing earthquake survival kit, as a result of the earthquake.
Click here to read or download the media release

01/04/11 The Canterbury Earthquake in February 2011 – Who should pay?
It has been estimated that the cost of reconstruction in Christchurch may be $30 billion. While some of the costs of replacing housing and commercial buildings will be met by EQC and the insurance companies, it is likely that there will be a significant shortfall.

Research New Zealand decided to find out who, in the eyes of New Zealanders, should cover any such shortfall. We therefore decided to ask this question in the latest Research New Zealand monthly poll.

It should be noted that because of the earthquake, and the dislocation it has caused, we did not interview in Christchurch. The poll therefore represents the thinking of New Zealanders who live outside the region most affected by the earthquake.

The key findings are: (1) There is an expectation that all New Zealanders will share in the costs of reconstruction (either through general taxation, a special ‘earthquake tax’, or government borrowing); and (2) this is especially the case when it comes to residential as opposed to commercial property.

Almost a third, 32 percent, felt that any shortfall should be covered by additional government borrowing, 20 percent felt it should be covered through the tax system, and 29 percent felt it should be covered by all of us through a special ‘earthquake tax’. A very small proportion, 6 percent, felt it should be covered by the house-owners themselves.

Women, at 33 percent, particularly favoured the option of the ‘earthquake tax’. The young, those 15–34 years of age, were rather more in favour of additional government borrowing to cover the shortfall; some 45 percent opted for this response. This was also the case with Maori/Pacific respondents where 55 percent opted for additional government borrowing to cover the shortfall. There were no significant differences between the regions or the income groups.
Click here to read or download the media release

01/04/11 The Canterbury Earthquake in February 2011 – Should the Government lead the recovery?
There has been a good deal of discussion about who should lead the recovery process in Christchurch. The government has appointed an authority, The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA), which includes local community representation, to lead the recovery and rebuilding process. The Authority will have quite sweeping powers designed to ensure that the recovery and rebuilding process in Christchurch is not tied down by red tape.

Research New Zealand decided to find out whether New Zealanders were in favour of the government leading the recovery process. We therefore decided to ask this question in the latest Research New Zealand monthly poll.

It should be noted that because of the earthquake, and the dislocation it has caused, we did not interview in Christchurch. The poll therefore represents the thinking of New Zealanders who live outside the region most affected by the earthquake.

The key findings are: (1) that there is strong support for the government leading the recovery and rebuilding process in Christchurch. Sixty-one percent of respondents were in favour with 29 percent not in favour; and (2) that the support is least in the South Island at 54 percent in favour and 41 percent not in favour.

Those in the age group 15–34 years, at 71 percent, were particularly in favour of the government leading the recovery process, while just over a third, 35 percent, in the 35–54 year age group were not in favour of this option. Interestingly, those living in the South Island, at 54 percent, were least in favour.
Click here to read or download the media release

14/02/11 Asset Sales back on the agenda
In a speech on 26 January the Prime Minister, Rt Hon John Key, announced that National, if it were to win the 2011 election, would consider the partial sale of a number of state assets, notably the government-owned electricity and coal companies. By partial sales was meant that the government would retain at least 51 percent of the shares.

This gave rise to a vigorous debate and Research New Zealand decided to ask New Zealanders what they thought of this idea.

Some 47 percent are not in favour of partial asset sales with 45 percent in favour. Maori/Pacific People are least in favour at 57 percent. Of those on incomes under $40,000 per year 53 percent were not in favour. However, the idea did resonate to some extent with those earning $80,000 or more per year with 50 percent in favour and 41 percent not in favour.
Click here to read or download the media release

07/02/11 New Zealanders say they’re willing to give up the booze
Research New Zealand is supporting a NZ Drug Foundation initiative called “Febfast” (www.febfast.org.nz). FebFast was established in Australia in 2007 and will be run in New Zealand this year for the first time. It is an annual education and awareness campaign that invites people to forgo alcohol consumption during February, and at the same time, raises funds to support not-for-profit services working with young people with alcohol and drug problems.

To support this initiative, Research New Zealand polled the general drinking public (approximately 80 percent of all adult New Zealanders) about their willingness to give up alcohol relative to giving up things such as their cell phones, the Internet, watching TV, cigarettes, coffee and so on.

Understandably, relatively few New Zealanders are willing to give up their car in favour of alcohol (just seven percent), and this falls into the same camp as seeing their friends (four percent) and sleeping (five percent).

At the other extreme, many are willing to give up their cigarettes (56 percent), social networking (49 percent) and even their coffee (30 percent) for alcohol.

In the middle ground are things such as mobile phones, the Internet, television and even sex, but for the most part, relatively few people are willing to give these up for alcohol.

Of the 10 things we got people to consider whether they would trade-off in favour of alcohol, just two (cigarettes and social networking) were the ones that substantial numbers of people were willing to give up. This means that, when push comes to the crunch, we are prepared to give up the booze. Overall, this appears to be good news, and even better when you consider that when we asked people for how long they were prepared to give up drinking, most said it was for more than one month (73 percent).

However, what people say they will do and what they end up doing can be two very different things, so we’ll have to wait until the end of February until we know how successful FebFast has been.

There are some interesting differences when the results are examined by various groups in the population. For example, people who can be classified as “heavy drinkers” on the basis that they drank seven or more glasses (for males) and five or more glasses (for females) of alcohol on their last drinking occasion are less likely to give up alcohol than are those who are more moderate drinkers.
Click here to read or download the media release

03/02/11 Should Waitangi Day and Anzac Day be ‘Mondayised’?
This year Waitangi Day falls on a Sunday and Anzac Day falls on Easter Monday. This means that most workers will not get these two days as a paid holiday. The Trade Unions have proposed that employers should, on a voluntary basis, provide an extra two days’ paid holiday to their workers to compensate for this, and that in the future, these two days should be ‘Mondayised’ so that workers will still get a paid holiday if these days fall on a weekend or a paid holiday.

This has not met with approval from all quarters, and Research New Zealand decided to ask a representative sample of people aged 15 years and over to give us their opinion on the issue. They were asked whether they thought it was fair that employers should be required to give workers a paid holiday when Waitangi Day or Anzac Day fall on a Sunday or a public holiday. They were further asked whether these two days should be ‘Mondayised’.

Two-thirds of those interviewed felt it was fair that employers should provide an extra paid holiday in lieu when these days fall on a Sunday or public holiday; 68 percent of females thought so as against 63 percent of males. Males felt it was unfair to employers to a slightly greater extent than females at 34 percent versus 27 percent. “This may reflect the fact that more males than females are employers,” said Research New Zealand Director, Emanuel Kalafatelis.

It is of interest that of those who are employed, 66 percent felt it was fair that employers should be required to compensate workers for the loss of two public holidays by giving them paid holidays instead. Among those who are not employed, the proportion was 65 percent, so the sentiment is shared to the same extent in these two groups.

The answers were strongly related to age group; 79 percent of those in the younger age group (15—34 years) felt it was fair, while only 47 percent of those in the age group 55 years and over said this.

Sixty-four percent of those interviewed agreed that these two holidays should fall on the nearest Monday, so that workers get a paid holiday. This view was also strongly related to the age of the respondents. Seventy-eight percent of those in the younger age group (15—34 years) were in favour of this, compared to 45 percent of those in the age group 55 years and over. “It is probably reasonable to conclude that this represents a stronger attachment by the older generation to celebrating these two days on the actual date”, said Research New Zealand Director, Emanuel Kalafatelis. Other factors, such as income and area did not seem to affect the response.
Click here to read or download the media release

16/12/10 Subdued spending predicted this Christmas
A recent Research New Zealand poll suggests that spending will be subdued this Christmas. Sixty-nine percent of respondents believe New Zealand is still in recession, and while this is not technically correct, it obviously influences their thinking about their personal financial situation. Twenty-nine percent of those who believe the country is still in recession felt it was having a ‘big impact’ on their personal financial position and 53 percent said it was having ‘some impact’, while 18 percent felt it had ‘no impact at all’.

Compared to their financial position a year ago, 18 percent felt it was ‘a lot worse’ and 15 percent thought it was ‘somewhat worse’. Twenty-eight percent felt it was ‘somewhat better’ and 8 percent that it was ‘a lot better’.

The net result is that 35 percent of respondents felt they would spend less on Christmas this year than they did last year, as against eight percent who felt they would spend more. Thirty-one percent said they would spend less on their Christmas holidays than they did last year, while 14 percent felt they would spend more.
Click here to read or download the media release

13/12/10 The Wellington Declaration
During her visit to New Zealand in the beginning of November, the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murray McCully, signed the Wellington Declaration, which “establishes the framework of a new United States – New Zealand strategic partnership to shape future practical cooperation and political dialogue”.

Research New Zealand decided to find out whether New Zealanders generally saw the Wellington Declaration as a new beginning in the partnership between the two countries, and whether they felt that the United States or New Zealand would benefit more from the Wellington Declaration. We therefore included two questions about this in our monthly public opinion poll.

We found that 56 percent of respondents were of the opinion that the partnership would remain the way it has been in the last few years, while 25 percent felt it would be more of an equal partnership in the future. Males, at 29 percent, were more likely than females (22 percent), to believe the relationship would be more like a partnership between equals.

Those in the age group 35-54 years were more likely to take the view that the partnership would remain the way it had been in the last few years (63 percent), as against those in the 15-34 year age group at 47 percent. However, in that same age group, 20 percent had not heard of the Wellington Declaration.

Those living in the Upper North Island, at 62 percent, were also more likely to think the relationship would remain the way it has been in the last few years.

When asked whether New Zealand or the United States would benefit most from the Wellington Declaration, 48 percent said that New Zealand would benefit more, while 31 percent said the United States would benefit more. Males in particular, at 56 percent, felt that New Zealand would benefit more. Interestingly, those earning $80,000 or more per annum were also more likely to be of the view that New Zealand would benefit more (58 percent).
Click here to read or download the media release

03/11/10 The handling of the Hobbit ‘Issue’
Seldom has an issue aroused such passion in New Zealand, as the prospect of ‘The Hobbit’ films moving off-shore.

Research New Zealand felt it would be useful to establish whether the public approve or disapprove of the way the issue was handled by the Prime Minister and the Government on the one hand, and the trade unions on the other.

It probably does not come as a surprise that the Prime Minister and the Government received a major thumbs-up on the issue. Seventy-one percent of the population 15 years and over approved of the way the issue had been handled by the Prime Minister and the Government. Approval was highest among those aged 55 years and over, at 78 percent. Those of ethnicities other than European, Mäori or Pacific approved to a lesser extent (59 percent). Those in the middle-income bracket ($40,000 - $69,999) approved to a slightly lesser extent than the survey population as whole, at 65 percent.

Compared with the level of approval accorded the Prime Minister and the Government, the approval of the way the trade unions handled the issue was low, at 16 percent. It was particularly low among those 55 years and over, at 11 percent. The highest approval rating for the trade unions’ handling of the issue was found among Mäori and Pacific people, at 33 percent.
Click here to read or download the media release

26/10/10 New Zealanders not confident about the outlook for the economy and their own financial circumstances
Confidence in the economy has taken a battering since the recession.

Research New Zealand recently polled 500 New Zealanders to find out whether they felt the outlook for the economy would get better or worse in the next 12 months and whether they expect their own financial circumstance get better or worse over the same period.

About the same proportions (27 percent vs. 28 percent) felt that the economy would get better, respectively worse, in the next 12 months, while 39 percent felt there would be no change. Males were rather more confident than females that the economy would get better in the next 12 months at 38 percent versus 17 percent. This represents a net 17 percent of males that are optimistic as against a net 17 percent of females that are pessimistic about the outlook for the economy over the next 12 months.

Young people, those in the age group 15-24 years, are also optimistic about the outlook for the economy at 36 percent, compared 25 percent who felt it would get worse, representing a net 11 percent of optimists. South Islanders were rather more pessimistic, 25 percent felt the economy would get better over the next 12 months as against 37 percent who felt it would get worse, a net 12 percent of pessimists.

In general people are also pessimistic about their own financial circumstances in the next 12 months. Some 23 percent believe they will get better and 29 percent believe they will get worse; 44 percent believe they will stay the same. Those in the 65 + age group are particularly pessimistic in that only 5 percent feel their financial circumstances will get better in the next 12 months, as against 30 percent that feel they will get worse, a net 25 percent who are pessimists.

Again, South Islanders are more pessimistic than those in other parts of the country with 16 percent believing their financial circumstances will improve in the next 12 months and 32 percent that believe they will get worse, a net 16 percent of pessimists. Those on incomes of $40,000 or less are also more pessimistic than others. Some 20 percent believe their financial circumstances will get better, as against 38 percent that believe they will get worse, a net 18 percent of pessimists.

Taking the two questions together, we find that of those who believe the outlook for the New Zealand economy will get better over the next 12 months, only 40 percent felt that this would translate into an improvement in their own financial circumstances, while 45 percent felt their own financial circumstances would not change.

One might say that the mood at the moment is fairly pessimistic.
Click here to read or download the media release

27/9/10 Should overseas businesses be able to buy New Zealand farms or farmland?
The prospect of a Chinese owned New Zealand registered company becoming owners of the Crafar farms, as a result of the liquidation of the Crafar farming enterprise, gave rise to a great deal of discussion about foreign ownership of New Zealand land generally and farms or farmland specifically. 

In the present case the question was whether a Chinese owned New Zealand registered company should be permitted to buy the Crafar farms. The Overseas Investment Office has not yet decided the question.

We decided to find out what New Zealanders thought of our farms being sold to overseas owned businesses, a slightly different proposition to land being sold to non-New Zealanders living overseas. In both cases approval by the Overseas Investment Office is required. And, of course, there are no restrictions on non-New Zealanders with permanent residence in New Zealand buying farms or making other types of investment in New Zealand.

Some 41 percent of respondents agreed that overseas owned businesses should be able to buy or invest in New Zealand farms or farmland. Males were in favour of this to a greater extent than women (47 percent as against 36 percent).

Those in the age group 55+ years were against such sales rather more than those in the younger age groups. Some 29 percent were in favour, while at 53 percent of those in the age group 15 – 34 years were in favour.

When it comes to ethnicity, those that were not European/Pakeha or Maori/Pacific Peoples were most in favour at 50 percent as against 41 percent and 39 percent in the two other groups.

The acceptance of sales of farms or farmland to overseas businesses was lowest in the South Island at 36 percent, compared with 44 percent elsewhere. It was highest on the part of respondents on incomes of $70,000 or more, at 53 percent.

We also asked respondents whether they themselves were farmers of had family or friends involved in farming, in the expectation that those who did, might have a different opinion to those less close to the farming community. Interestingly, there was no difference between those that had family and friends in farming and those that did not.
Click here to read or download the media release

27/9/10 Should the firearms laws be tightened?
Whenever there is an offence involving firearms the question of the adequacy of the firearms registration laws comes up for discussion. The shooting of a Police Officer in Napier last year, and the subsequent suicide of the gunman, who was found to be unlicensed and to have a large number of guns, including military-style semi-automatic weapons, rekindled the debate.

The Firearms Act 1983, amended in 1982 after the Aramoana killings, provides that owners must be registered. The earlier legislation required each individual firearm to be registered. It has often been suggested that requiring each firearm to be registered would be an improvement on current legislation.

Research New Zealand decided to put this proposition to the test in its September Omnibus Survey of New Zealanders.

1. At present New Zealand firearms laws require that owners of firearms must be registered. Once you are a registered firearms owner, you are allowed to have any number of guns, provided they can legally be owned by a private individual. In your opinion, should the firearms laws be changed so that each individual firearm has to be registered?
   
   
2. Semi-automatic military-style firearms are currently permitted in New Zealand. A semi-automatic firearm is one that will fire every time the trigger is pulled so long as there is ammunition in the magazine. In your opinion, should the sale of semi-automatic guns be permitted in New Zealand?

There is overwhelming support for the registration of each individual gun owned by a licensed firearms owner. Some 83 percent were in favour of this, females more so than males at 87 percent as against 79 percent. Older respondents were more in favour than younger respondents. Among those in the age group 55+ years, 87 percent were in favour compared with 81 percent of people in the 15 – 34 year age group.

There were no marked differences by ethnicity. However, those living in the South Island where in favour of banning semi-automatic military-style firearms to a slightly greater extent than those living in the Lower/Central North Island. (86 percent compared with 80 percent). When considered by income, there were no marked differences in opinion between the various income groups.

When it comes to semi-automatic military-style firearms, 25 percent of the respondents felt they should be permitted, while 72 percent felt they should not. 82 percent of females as against 61 percent of males felt they should not be permitted.

Older respondents felt to a greater extent than younger people that semi-automatic military-style firearms should not be permitted. 81 percent in the age group 55+ years felt this way, while in the age group 15-34 years, 60 percent supported a ban on this type of firearm.

Maori and Pacific Peoples were less in favour of such a ban at 64 percent, versus 74 percent of NZ Europeans/Pakeha and 73 percent of other ethnicities. There were no differences by area. However, those on incomes of $40,000 – $69,999, were less in favour of banning semi-automatic military-style firearms (64 percent) than those on lower or higher incomes (74 percent of those earning less than $40,000, and 76 percent of those earning $70,000 or more).
Click here to read or download the media release

16/08/10  Compulsory teaching of te reo Maori in schools
The Maori language has seen a revival in recent years and in 1987 it became one of the three official languages in New Zealand. However, ‘the decline of the Maori language has only just been arrested. There is a resurgence of te reo, but to remain viable as a language, Maori needs a critical mass of fluent speakers of all ages, and it needs the respect and support of the wider English-speaking and multi-ethnic New Zealand community’ (New Zealand History on-line).

Some would argue that the best way to demonstrate this support would be for te reo Maori to become a compulsory subject at school. Research New Zealand decided to test this proposition by asking New Zealanders whether the teaching of te reo Maori should become compulsory in all New Zealand schools.

Some 38 percent of New Zealanders support the idea that the teaching of te reo Maori in schools should become compulsory. A higher proportion of females than males support the idea (42 percent as against 35 percent. Only a small proportion (four percent) of respondents could not make up their minds and said ‘don’t know’.

The support for compulsory teaching of te reo Maori in schools is highest among those in the 15-34 year age group at 50 percent, and lowest among those in the age group 55 years and over, at 24 percent.

Not surprisingly the support for compulsory teaching of te reo Maori in schools was highest among Maori and Pacific People at 71 percent, compared with 32 percent for New Zealand Europeans.

There was no difference of note by area, which shows that the support for the compulsory teaching of te reo Maori in schools is national rather than regional.
Click here to read or download the media release

16/08/10 Should assisted suicide be permitted?
Lately there has been discussion about whether assisted suicide should be permitted in New Zealand. Many efforts to introduce legislation to permit this have failed in the past, despite some high profile cases, where the courts have found that someone’s actions were considered to have brought about, or hastened the death of a relative or person close to them. For the medical profession this is a particularly difficult issue.

Research New Zealand decided to ask New Zealanders whether they agree with the proposal that assisted suicide should be permitted in New Zealand. It is assumed that in expressing their opinion the respondents bore in mind that the law would prescribe guidelines and protocols to prevent abuse of the law.

Respondents were more or less evenly divided on the issue. Some 47 percent felt that assisted suicide should be permitted and 44 percent felt it should not. Among those in the age group 15 -34 years 39 percent agreed with the proposal and 50 percent disagreed. Among those aged 35 and over 51 percent agreed with the proposal.

Among Maori/Pacific respondents, 37 percent agreed, a rather lower proportion than among NZ European/Pakeha, where 49 percent were in favour.
Click here to read or download the media release

16/08/10 Should bars and pubs close earlier?
Since Sir Geoffrey Palmer released the Law Commission’s review of the country’s liquor laws, there has been much discussion about what could be done to improve the drinking culture, especially among the young.

One of the issues discussed from time to time is the opening hours of on-licence premises, i.e. places where liquor is sold to be consumed on the premises. Many such premises are open till very late at night or until the early hours of the morning.

Research New Zealand decided to find out what opening hours are felt by New Zealanders to be appropriate for on-licence premises, such as bars and pubs.

Almost a quarter of New Zealanders (26 percent) felt on-licence premises should close between 11 pm and 1 am, while a further 37 percent felt they should close between 1 am and 2 am. A further 18 percent felt that they could stay open till 3 am or later.

As might be expected, late closing of on-licence premises was not favoured by those in the age group 55 years or over. Only five percent in this age group felt that such premises should allowed to stay open until between 3 am – 5 am. Among the respondents in the 15 to 35 year age group 23 percent felt that on-licence premises should be permitted to stay open this late. There were no differences of note between men and women on this issue, although women have traditionally been against liberal closing hours for on licence premises. ‘This probably reflects the greater equality among men and women when it comes to the drinking culture in New Zealand’, said Research New Zealand Director, Emanuel Kalafatelis. Likewise, there were no differences of significance by ethnicity and area.
Click here to read or download the media release

01/07/10 - Emissions Trading Scheme not a hit with New Zealanders
The Emissions Trading Scheme took effect on 1 July 2010. It will increase the cost of energy production and usage involving the emission of carbon dioxide. This will have a knock-on effect on the prices of most goods and services. The impact on households is expected to be about $3 per week or $165 per year. However, many believe the impact on households is going to be much greater.

Research New Zealand decided to find out how the Emissions Trading Scheme is seen by New Zealanders and how they are likely to react to the expected price increases. The poll results suggest that while the Emissions Trading Scheme is not much understood or favoured by New Zealanders, it may have the intended effect.
Some 57 percent said they had little or no understanding of the scheme, while 16 percent said they understood it well or very well. The level of understanding was highest in the age group 55 years and over at 19 percent.

When it was explained that the Emissions Trading Scheme was aimed at reducing carbon emissions and to make the emitters pay more, 49 percent declared themselves in favour of the Emissions Trading Scheme with 44 percent not in favour. The highest proportions of those in favour were among females (53 percent), the 15‑34 year olds (55 percent). Among those 55 years +, the proportion in favour was rather lower at 37 percent. Interestingly, when analysed by area the results showed that those living in the South of the North Island were least in favour at 40 percent.

When it was further explained that the cost of goods and services that create carbon emissions would increase, the proportion in favour fell to 37 percent or by 12 percentage points. Among females it also fell by 12 percentage points; among those in the age group 55 years+ it fell by eight percentage points and among those living in the South North Island it fell by 10 percentage points.

New Zealanders generally plan to cope with the price rises by economising to avoid the extra costs (62 percent), highest among those in the 15 – 34 year age group at 65 percent and among those earning less than $40,000 per year at 68 percent..

New Zealanders generally feel that we should lead by example rather than wait and see what other countries will do. This opinion was expressed by 57 percent of those interviewed, while 38 percent were in favour of waiting to see what other countries might do. That New Zealand should lead by example was also overwhelmingly supported by the younger people (15 – 34 years) at 77 percent.
Click here to read or download the media release

01/07/10 - Mexican Gulf Oil Spill has major impact on opinions of BP
In April an explosion took place on an oil rig drilling a well for BP in the Gulf of Mexico. The subsequent fire cost 11 lives and a number of oil rig workers were injured. It also created an oil leakage that will go down in history as the biggest ever. BP has accepted responsibility for the oil leakage and for meeting the cleaning costs, as well as providing compensation to the businesses and workers in the coastal areas of the US states that have suffered losses.

Research New Zealand decided to find out what impact this might have had on New Zealanders’ attitudes to the possibility that deep sea oil wells may be drilled within our 200 mile economic zone, and whether the opinion of New Zealanders of BP had changed as a result of its responsibility for the explosion and subsequent effects. While it was hardly likely to improve New Zealanders’ opinions of BP, the question was more to what extent it had become negative.

We asked whether people were in favour or not in favour of off-shore drilling for oil within the 200 mile economic zone. Forty-nine percent of New Zealanders were in favour of this with 35 percent being opposed. Males were rather more in favour at 60 percent than were females at 40 percent. Those in the age group 55 years + were in favour to a rather greater extent (64 percent) than those in the 15-34 years at 36 percent. Maori were also less in favour at 38 percent, compared with New Zealand Europeans at 51 percent. Fifty-six percent of those living in the South Island were in favour.

Respondents were reminded of the explosion on the oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico and the subsequent oil leakage and were asked whether this had influenced their opinion of BP and if so, whether it was now more negative or more positive than before. Sixty-three percent said that their opinion of BP was now more negative, while 33 percent said that it had not influenced their opinion of BP. Opinions of BP were more negative among those in the 35 to 54 year age group at 66 percent and among Maori at 71 percent.
Click here to read or download the media release

26/05/10 - ‘Three Strikes’ law popular among New Zealanders
The ‘Three Strikes’ legislation, under which an offender who has committed a third ‘Three Strikes’ offence, will receive the maximum sentence available for the crime concerned, and will not be eligible for parole, but must serve the full sentence, was passed into law on May 25 2010.

The debate that has taken place since the legislation was first mooted has been fairly vigorous and the suggestion that it would result in fewer offences being committed has not been accepted in all quarters.

Research New Zealand decided to survey New Zealanders on the issue to establish what level of awareness there was of the proposed ‘Three Strikes’ legislation, what support there was for it, and whether it was felt the new law will reduce offending.

Some 66 percent of New Zealanders had heard of the legislation, 71 percent of males and 62 percent of females. The younger age group (15 – 34 years) had the lowest awareness at 46 percent. Maori and Pacific people also had relatively low awareness at 51 percent.

The nature of the proposed legislation was explained to the participants in the survey, who were then asked whether they were in favour of it, and whether they thought it would deter criminals from committing a third ‘Three Strikes’ offence.

Eighty-one percent, and almost equal proportions of males and females, were in favour of the legislation. Support was high throughout those surveyed. Among Maori and Pacific People the proportion in favour was 79 percent, not very different from that of NZ Europeans (83 percent) and other ethnic groups (76 percent).

However, New Zealanders are rather pessimistic about the deterrent effect of the legislation. Just over half of the participants in the poll felt that it would have a deterrent effect, the highest proportion (64 percent) being in the age group 15 – 34 years.

Interestingly, only 61 percent of those who were in favour of the legislation believed it would deter criminals from committing a third ‘Three Strikes’ offence, showing that for a significant minority of respondents (30 percent) punishment and not deterrence is likely to have been the driver of opinion.
Click here to read or download the media release

27/05/10 - Should our SAS troops stay in Afghanistan?
The Prime Minister visited Afghanistan in early May to meet with the New Zealand SAS troops in Afghanistan and the Provincial Reconstruction Team stationed in Bamiyan Province.

On his return Mr Key told media that Cabinet would be considering whether to withdraw the SAS contingent altogether when their tour of duty ends in March 2011, or whether to leave a reduced contingent there for a longer period.

A Research New Zealand poll was conducted between 18 and 25 May 2010 to establish the opinion of New Zealanders about the possible reduction of the size of the contingent of SAS troops presently serving in Afghanistan, as against their total withdrawal.

Opinions were fairly evenly divided between these two possibilities. Forty percent want the SAS troops withdrawn altogether, while 37 percent were in favour of a partial withdrawal. Forty-one percent of males favoured a partial withdrawal while 43 percent of women favoured a total withdrawal. There were no major differences when the results were analysed by age. However, Maori and Pacific People show a clear preference for a total withdrawal (48 percent) as against a partial withdrawal (29 percent).

Interestingly, respondents in the upper half of the North Island favoured a total withdrawal to a larger extent than those living in the lower half of the North Island (44 percent as against 33 percent).

A Research New Zealand poll conducted in July 2009 found that 41 percent of New Zealanders were in favour of sending SAS troops to Afghanistan, although the proportion fell to 35 percent when respondents were asked if the fact that the SAS troops might be involved in combat would lead them to change their opinion.
Click here to read or download the media release

21/05/10 - Pre-budget Financial Expectations
Now that the 2010 Budget has come and gone, the debate has started over whether the expectations or fears about its impact on the financial circumstance of New Zealanders will be realised in the next 12 months or so.

Research New Zealand decided to measure, well before the 2010 Budget, the expectations New Zealanders had of the changes in their own economic circumstances in the next 12 months, and what their experience had been in the previous 12 months. When there is more clarity about the impact of the 2010 Budget on living standards, the measure will be repeated.

The Research New Zealand poll, taken in April, shows that 19 percent of New Zealanders felt that the current economic conditions had had a big impact on their financial circumstances. The middle income earners (between $30,000 and $60,000 p.a.) in particular, at 26 percent, had felt the impact of the current economic circumstances.

Overall, some 47 percent of New Zealanders felt that their current financial situation was worse than it had been 12 months ago. Among the middle income earners the proportion was particularly high at 58 percent and lowest at 33 percent among those on incomes of $100,000 or more.

However, 58 percent of New Zealanders felt their financial circumstances will improve in the next 12 months. How much of this can be ascribed to pre-budget publicity is, of course, hard to tell, but is does suggest optimism is beginning to return.

Those that were employed were asked if they felt their job was secure. Seventy-six percent fell their job was secure, and again, at 83 percent, the proportion was highest among those earning $100,000 or more. Respondents were more or less evenly divided in their expectations of a pay rise in the next 12 months; 46 percent expected a pay rise and 48 percent did not. Among those earning $100,000 or more per year 56 percent expected a pay rise.
Click here to read or download the media release

29/04/10 - New Zealanders favour resumption of visits of US warships
Sir Geoffrey Palmer, former Prime Minister who succeeded David Lange, recently suggested that visits by American warships could be resumed, because in practice only non-nuclear armed and powered ships could visit New Zealand, the United States having decided to remove tactical nuclear weapons from its conventionally-powered surface warships. Nuclear powered and armed submarines and aircraft carriers are unlikely to be selected by the United States for a visit to New Zealand, because they are known to be nuclear power and/or nuclear armed. Therefore, any visits that might take place would not be in contravention of New Zealand legislation banning the visits of nuclear powered of armed ships.

The New Zealand public is certainly ready for the resumption of such visits as a recent Research New Zealand poll shows.

Three-quarters of New Zealanders 15 years and over favour visits by American warships that are not nuclear powered or armed, the poll shows. Support for such visits is strongest among those 55 years and older at 81 percent, while 64 percent of people under 35 years are in favour. Six percent of those interviewed did not have a view on this. Males also expressed stronger support, some 83 percent being in favour compared with 67 percent of females.Interestingly, Maori and Pacific People at 64 percent were noticeably less supportive of such visits than the rest of the population.

The Research New Zealand poll was conducted between 20 and 27 April 2010.
Click here to read or download the media release

12/04/10 - New Zealanders not yet ready to ditch the right hand rule
A recent Research New Zealand poll shows that the proposal to change back to the left-hand give-way rule, which was last in force in 1977, is likely to meet opposition from the New Zealand public. Only 44 percent of those 15 years and over support the change, while 51 percent oppose it. As one might expect, the younger people, who have grown up with the current right-hand rule, are more opposed (61 percent against) than those over 55 years (42 percent against).
Click here to read or download the media release

08/04/10 - Strong support for measures to improve road safety
The Road Safety Strategy 2010, called Safer Journeys, was released recently by the Minister of Transport and among the many recommendations made were the following:

1. That the driving age be increased to 16 years of age
2. That drivers under 20 years of age should have a zero alcohol drink-drive limit
3. That the drink drive limit for drivers 20 years of age and over which is currently 80 mgs of alcohol per 100 mls of blood should be reduced to 50 mgs.

A recent Research New Zealand public opinion poll asked New Zealanders to give their views on the proposed changes.

New Zealanders appear to have accepted the message that the proposed changes would improve road safety in New Zealand, said Yvonne Sharp, Chairman of the Road Safety Trust, since there is overwhelming support for them.

Seventy-eight percent of New Zealanders are in favour of increasing the driving age to 16 years. The support for the proposal is lowest among those 15 – 24 years of age at 59 percent and highest among women at 82 percent and those over 55 years of age at 86 percent.

The support for a zero alcohol drink-drive limit for driver under 20 years of age was also very high; 84 percent support this measure compared to 15 percent who oppose it. “It is noteworthy, said Research New Zealand Director, Emanuel Kalafatelis, that the support for the measure was highest, at 91 percent, among those in the 25 - 34 year age group”. Not unnaturally, the support for the measure was lowest among those in the 15 – 24 year age group at 63 percent, although that is still almost twice as many as oppose the measure (35 percent).

“It was also gratifying, said the Road Safety Trust Chairman, Yvonne Sharp, that there was also strong support for lowering of the alcohol drink-drive limit from 80 mgs per 100 ml of blood to 50 mgs. Those in favour at 63 percent outnumber by almost two to one those who were opposed to the measure. Interestingly, it is the age group 35 years and over that shows the strongest support for the proposed measure.

The Research New Zealand poll of 500 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between 15 and 19 March. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.8 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of New Zealand's general population. The poll was not taken on behalf of any organization, but as part of Research New Zealand’s monthly survey of attitudes and opinions.
Click here to read or download the media release

06/04/10 - New Zealanders not yet ready for a change to Easter Trading Hours
A number of retail outlets were open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday. This repeats an established pattern that sees a number of retail outlets fined for having been open, when they should have been closed.

The retailers claim that they are open because of public demand. Research New Zealand decided to find out just what level of support there is for a change to the current legislation which, with some exceptions, prohibits retailers from opening on Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

The findings from the poll suggest that the retailers have far from established their case for a change to the law.

Some 61 percent of New Zealanders oppose a change to the legislation to allow retailers to open on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, while 35 percent support it. Among males, opposition to a change was 50 percent, and among females it was 71 percent. As one might expect, those in the age group 55 years+ did not, by a large majority, want a change as 73 percent were opposed, but even among the younger people, 15 – 34 years of age, the majority at 55 percent supported the status quo.

The Research New Zealand poll of 500 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between 15 and 19 March. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.8 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of New Zealand's general population. The poll was not taken on behalf of any organization, but as part of Research New Zealand’s monthly survey of attitudes and opinions.
Click here to read or download the media release

04/03/10 - Strong support for Wellington retaining NZI Sevens
New Zealanders are far from one-eyed or parochial when it comes to the preferred venue for the NZI Sevens of the IRB World Sevens Series (popularly known as the Rugby World 7’s).

The latest Research New Zealand poll has found that 66 percent of New Zealanders believe Wellington should retain the NZI Sevens.

A higher proportion of males (72 percent) than females (61 percent) favour Wellington retaining the NZI Sevens. The support was virtually the same across the age groups.

As one might expect, the support for Wellington retaining the NZI Sevens was particularly high in the Lower North Island where 74 percent favour Wellington, but even those living in the Upper North Island favoured Wellington by 61 percent to 16 percent, which shows that Wellington can claim to have truly national support for retaining the NZI Sevens.

One can say, however, that Wellingtonians are rather one-eyed about wanting to retain the NZI Sevens, with 85 percent of those living in Wellington being of that opinion as against 6 percent who felt it was someone else’s turn.

The Research New Zealand poll of 756 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between 16 and 25 February. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.3 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of New Zealand's general population. The poll was not taken on behalf of any organization, but as part of Research New Zealand’s monthly survey of attitudes and opinions.
Click here to read or download the media release

04/03/10 - Should New Zealand become a republic
The question of whether New Zealand should become a republic with a New Zealander as the Head of State has recently been raised again. A Research New Zealand poll conducted in November 2008, found that New Zealanders were divided in their views.

In November 2008, 42 percent of New Zealanders supported the idea that New Zealand should become a republic, with 48 percent against.

Today the support for this suggestion is even less with 32 percent of New Zealanders agreeing with the suggestion and 53 percent disagreeing. ‘The substantial drop in support for The Republic of New Zealand is unlikely to have come about by chance’, Research New Zealand Director, Emanuel Kalafatelis said. ‘The recent visit by HRH Prince William may well have been a factor’.

More males (38 percent) than females (28 percent) supported the suggestion that New Zealand should become a republic. Those under 35 years of age were also more likely to favour New Zealand becoming a republic (35 percent) as opposed to those who are 55 years or over (29 percent)

Interestingly, the current poll has found that the support for New Zealand becoming a republic is higher among Mäori and Pacific People, both at 42 percent than among NZ Europeans at 31 percent.

Support for The Republic of New Zealand is highest among those living in the Upper North Island at 40 percent and lowest among those living in the South Island at 26 percent.

The Research New Zealand poll of 756 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between 16 and 25 February. The maximum margin of error is +/- 3.6 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of New Zealand's general population. The poll was not taken on behalf of any organization, but as part of Research New Zealand’s monthly survey of attitudes and opinions.
Click here to read or download the media release

12/10/09 - Lowering the drinking age bad for New Zealand
Ten years after the country’s drinking age was lowered to 18, 74 percent of New Zealanders think it has had a negative impact on our society, according to a recent Research New Zealand poll. Five percent thought it had had a positive effect and 17 percent felt it had made no difference. Older people and higher income households thought most strongly that lowering the drinking age had negatively affected society.

The poll also asked Kiwis if they agreed with the New Zealand Law Commission’s recent recommendation that there should be a split purchasing age, where 18 year olds can buy alcohol at bars and restaurants but you have to be 20 to get it from shops. Respondents were divided on this suggestion, with half of all respondents in favour and the other half disagreeing. 

However, a substantial 63 percent of people agreed with another of the Commission’s recommendations, that anyone found drunk in a public place should receive an instant fine.

The bill, which passed by a narrow majority in 1999, was the subject of a heated debate with critics such as the New Zealand Medical Association saying it would worsen the poor public health consequences associated with teenage drinking. In 2005, a bill attempting to raise the age back to 20 was defeated by a 72-49 majority.

The Research New Zealand poll of 500 people aged 18 and over was conducted by telephone between the 8 September and 10 September. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.4 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of the New Zealand population 18 years and over. The poll was not taken on behalf of any organisation but as part of Research New Zealand’s monthly survey of attitudes and opinions.
Click here to read or download the media release

29/09/09 - Flying the Māori flag up for debate
Two out of five Kiwis are happy for the Māori flag to fly beside the New Zealand flag on official occasions and days of national significance, according to a Research New Zealand poll. The poll found 40 percent of New Zealanders supported the inclusion of the chosen Māori flag, 51 percent disagreed and the remainder either didn’t know or had no strong opinion on the matter.

The selection of an official Māori flag to fly on Waitangi Day was debated at 21 hui around the country and the suggestion of flying the flag on days of national significance was also discussed.

The poll found females were more likely to agree that the flag should be flown at 47 percent, compared to 33 percent of males.  Younger people were also more likely to support the flag, for example 51 percent of those aged 18 to 34 agreed compared with 26 percent of those aged 55 plus. Those of Māori or Pacific ethnicity were more likely to agree at 53 percent, compared with 37 percent of those of New Zealand European ethnicity.

The Research New Zealand poll of 500 people aged 18 and over was conducted by telephone between the 8 September and 10 September. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.4 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of the New Zealand population 18 years and over. The poll was not taken on behalf of any organisation but as part of Research New Zealand’s monthly survey of attitudes and opinions.
Click here to read or download the media release

25/09/09 - Research finds lack of living Kiwi heroes
Finding the next great New Zealand hero has many of us stumped after the death of Sir Edmund Hillary, according to a recent Research New Zealand poll. The poll asked “Who do you believe is the greatest living New Zealander?” and just over a third (36 percent) of respondents were unable to answer the question. Fifteen percent chose Sir Edmund Hillary despite his death in January 2008. Former Prime Minister Helen Clark tops the list of living New Zealand heroes. She was chosen by 9 percent of respondents, followed by former All Black Captain Sir Colin Meads with 5 percent, and triple Olympic gold medallist Sir Peter Snell with 3 percent.

Our current Prime Minister John Key was next, along with Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, both polling at 2 percent. The poll shows how beloved Sir Edmund was and that finding a new hero to match him isn’t going to be easy. Helen Clark’s number one selection as our living hero is a step away from New Zealanders’ tendency to name sports people as their heroes.

The Research New Zealand poll of 500 people aged 18 and over was conducted by telephone between the 8 September and 10 September. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.4 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of the New Zealand population 18 years and over. The poll was not taken on behalf of any organisation but as part of Research New Zealand’s monthly survey of attitudes and opinions.
Click here to read or download the media release

12/09/09 - Poll finds Kiwis not so keen on MMP
A government-initiated referendum was among National’s pre-election promises and this week Mr Key said he would hold the referendum to honour his party’s pledge, but didn’t believe there was a mood for changing the system. Prime Minister John Key may believe New Zealanders are happy with MMP, but only 45 percent of us are keen on our current electoral system and keeping MMP, according to a Research New Zealand poll. The poll found 42 percent of New Zealanders were not in favour of MMP and a further 13 percent were unsure. Younger people (18-24) were more likely to support MMP at 58 percent in comparison to older New Zealanders (38 percent of 55 to 64 year olds, and 42 percent of over 65s).

Research New Zealand polled New Zealanders’ attitudes to MMP both prior to, and following, the 2008 general election. A Research New Zealand poll in August 2008 found 46 percent of those asked favoured MMP, and when the question was asked again in November 2008 the percentage of support had risen to 53 percent.

The Research New Zealand poll of 500 people aged 18 and over was conducted by telephone between 8 and 10 September. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.5 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of the New Zealand population 18 years and over. The poll was not taken on behalf of any organisation, but as part of Research New Zealand’s monthly survey of attitudes and opinions.
Click here to read or download the media release

25/08/09 - Small businesses believe relief is on the way
Small business owners see light at the end of the recession tunnel, according to the latest Business Confidence Survey from Research New Zealand. The survey questioned 502 small and medium-sized businesses (including farms) in July about their optimism, or otherwise, for their own business and for the economy.

Overall, small business owners were feeling positive about the future although views were mixed about whether the Government had helped them get through the recession.
Fifty-two percent of small business owners thought trading conditions for their own business would get better in the next six months and even more, 73 percent, thought they would get better or much better in the next 12 months.

The survey found small business owners felt the decisions and plans made at February’s Job Summit made little difference to them. Seventy-one percent felt it would have no impact or a small impact on them and 11 percent thought it would have a moderate impact.

When asked whether they thought the Government had taken the right steps to manage the effects of the recession on small businesses, one in three small business owners or managers strongly disagreed or disagreed. However, 47 percent agreed or strongly agreed that the Government had taken the right steps, a further 10 percent didn’t know.

The survey found the recession has had a negative impact on 58 percent of small businesses, but interestingly 20 percent thought it had had a positive effect.  Those who had experienced a positive impact commented that as a result of the recession they had increased investment in their business, boosted staff numbers and increased the amount of overtime worked.

Those who felt the recession has had a negative impact on their business said they had reduced overheads and costs, stopped hiring new staff and reduced investment.
Click here to read or download the media release

29/07/09 - Should New Zealand send SAS soldiers to Afghanistan?
The government will shortly make a decision about whether New Zealand should send SAS soldiers back to Afghanistan. A Research New Zealand poll, conducted for ONE News, and released on 28 July, shows that New Zealanders are divided on whether New Zealand SAS soldiers should be sent back to Afghanistan – 47% are in favour and 44% are opposed. Younger people and females in particular are opposed – 57% of those in the age group 18 – 24 years and 57% of females. When it is made clear that SAS soldiers going to Afghanistan may be sent into combat, the figures change only slightly. Of those in favour of them going back to Afghanistan, 13% would change their mind if they were likely to see combat and 84% would not. The government has already extended the tour of duty of the 140 soldiers working on reconstruction projects in Afghanistan by a further year until September 2010. That decision was supported by 61% of those surveyed, with 23% being opposed.

The poll, which was based on a nationally representative sample of n=500 adult New Zealanders, aged 18 years and over was conducted by telephone between 6 and 9 July 2009. The results have been weighted by age and gender to ensure the total sample is representative of the New Zealand adult population. Results based on the total sample are subject to a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percent (at the 95 percent confidence level).
Click here to read or download the media release

29/06/09 - Referendum a waste of tax dollars say New Zealanders.
Three out of four Kiwis don’t believe the “Anti-Smacking Bill” referendum is a good use of $8.9 million of tax payers’ money given that Prime Minister John Key has said the Government is unlikely to change the law, regardless of the result.
The result is the finding of the latest poll from Research New Zealand. The poll found 77% of Kiwis aged 18 years and over didn’t support spending money on the referendum, while 18% felt it was good use of tax funds, and the remaining 5% were unsure. Of the demographic differences recorded by the poll,only the gender differences were significant, with males being more supportive of the referendum than females (22% of males, compared to 14% of females).

The Research New Zealand poll of 481 people aged 18 and over was conducted by telephone between the 17 June and 19 June. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.8 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of the population 18 years and over. The poll was not taken on behalf of any organisation but as part of Research New Zealand’s monthly survey of attitudes and opinions.
Click here to read or download the media release

22/06/09 - Kiwis worried about cuts to superannuation fund and future pension entitlements.

A recent Research New Zealand poll shows that a majority of Kiwis are worried about how future Governments will provide for the retired, according to the latest poll from Research New Zealand. The poll found 72 percent of Kiwis were aware of the Government’s cuts to their contribution to the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, 27 percent were unaware and 2 percent said ‘don’t know’. Of those who were aware of the cuts, almost three quarters (73 percent) were concerned about how future Governments would be able to provide for the retired, 25 percent weren’t concerned and 2 percent didn’t know. Young New Zealanders aged 15-29, who were aware of the changes to the Super Fund, were the least concerned at 46 percent, while 87 percent of 50 to 59 year-olds are concerned about how future governments will provide for retirement.

The Research New Zealand poll of 505 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between the 4 June and 11 June. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.8 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of New Zealand's general population. The poll was not taken on behalf of any organisation but as part of Research New Zealand’s monthly survey of attitudes and opinions.
Click here to read or download the media release

18/06/09 - Strong feelings about the use of cell phones when driving Research New Zealand poll shows.

The message is clear, most Kiwis think using a cell phone while driving should be illegal, according to the latest poll from Research New Zealand. 86% of people believe it should be illegal to use a cell phone while driving, and the depth of feeling remains unchanged from the identical poll taken in March 2008.

Seeking clarification, the poll also asked people if they thought using a hands-free cell phone was OK.

51% of respondents felt the law should apply only to hand-held phones, and 32% agreed that using a hands-free phone while driving is acceptable. Although males and females were equally likely to agree that the use of cell phones should be illegal while driving, their opinion differed on whether hands-free phones should also be made illegal. 36% of females, compared to 27% of males felt that the use of all mobile phones in cars should be made illegal.

The Research New Zealand poll of 505 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between the 4 June and 11 June. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.8 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of New Zealand's general population. The poll was not taken on behalf of any organisation but as part of Research New Zealand’s monthly survey of attitudes and opinions
Click here to read or download the media release

08/05/09 - Kiwis feeling secure despite rising unemployment.
Despite unemployment rising to its highest level in six years, most Kiwis remain confident in their job security and believe the Government is taking the right steps to manage the recession, Research New Zealand polling shows.

The poll found two thirds (68 percent) of respondents believe the state of the economy is having some impact on their current financial situation and standard of living, and one in six (18 percent) feel it is having a ‘big impact’.

These results are similar to those recorded in February 2009 (71 percent), but significantly lower than in October 2008 (81 percent) and September 2008 (90 percent). Almost one-half of the respondents (44 percent) remain cautiously optimistic that their financial situation will improve in the next 12 months. This is a significant improvement on the result earlier this year, when 32 percent said this.

Two thirds of us (63 percent) agree that the government is taking the right steps to manage the recession, with 15 percent strongly agreeing.

Of those in employment, 79 percent believe their jobs are secure compared with 73 percent in November last year.

The Research New Zealand poll of 501 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between the 24 and 30 April. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.6 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of the general population. The poll was taken as part of Research New Zealand’s regular surveys of attitudes and opinions
Click here to read or download the media release

08/05/09 - Kiwis split on Super City idea
The latest polling by Research New Zealand shows that Kiwis are split on the idea of Auckland becoming a Super City.

Whereas 39 percent of New Zealanders support the idea, almost the same proportion (36 percent) are opposed. The remainder either didn’t know (14 percent) or didn’t care (10 percent). Of those living in Auckland 41 percent support the Super City idea and 45 percent do not, and 1 percent didnøt care one way or the other.

The Research New Zealand poll of 501 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between the 24 and 30 April. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.6
Click here to read or download the media release

08/05/09 - Half of Kiwis happy with Wanganui spelling.
Just over half of all New Zealanders think that the spelling of Wanganui should stay the way it is, Research New Zealand polling shows.

The latest polling found that, while 28 percent of respondents believed the spelling of Wanganui should be changed to include the ‘h’, 54 percent said it should remain the way it is.  A further 13 percent didn’t care and 5 percent didn’t know.

Support for changing the name to Whanganui was strongest among Maori with 54 percent, compared to 24 percent of those who identified themselves as New Zealand European. “Support for the change was also higher among those who live in the Upper North Island at 33 percent, compared to those in the South Island 22 percent.

The Research New Zealand poll of 501 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between the 24 and 30 April. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.6 %.
Click here to read or download the media release

23/2/09 - Strong support for Government's handling of the recession.
Almost two-thirds of New Zealanders believe the Government is taking the right steps to manage the effects of the recession, the latest Research New Zealand polling shows.

The poll shows that 61 percent of those asked agreed, or strongly agreed, that the Government was taking the right steps to manage the recession. The result shows a high level of support for the Government’s actions to date with only 15 percent of those asked disagreeing, or strongly disagreeing, that the Government is taking the right steps. Some 9 percent neither agreed nor disagreed with what the Government was doing and another 15 percent had no opinion.

The Research New Zealand poll of 502 people aged 15 years and over was conducted by telephone between 5th and 15th February. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.6%
Click here to read or download the media release

23/2/09 - Recession still bites, but not as hard.
While the recession is hurting many New Zealanders, some are beginning to feel that the worst may be over, the latest Research New Zealand polling shows. Our February poll shows that 49 percent of New Zealanders believe their financial situation is somewhat worse, or a lot worse, than at the same time a year ago. This had gradually risen to 56% when the same question was asked last year.

This indicates that while the recession is biting for about half of New Zealanders, for others the negative effects of the recession may have peaked for now.

Significantly, 32 percent of New Zealanders interviewed this month said their financial situation had not changed since 12 months ago.

The Research New Zealand poll of 502 people aged 15 years and over was conducted by telephone between 5th and 15th February. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.6%.
Click here to read or download the media release

22/12/08 - Christmas still a religious festival for many Kiwis.
Christmas Day is about more than a big dinner, gift giving and holidays for a sizable group of New Zealanders, the latest Research New Zealand polling shows. While the poll found that, for 55 percent of Kiwis, Christmas Day has no religious significance, the day still holds a religious dimension for 45 percent of New Zealanders. The result mirrors a similar poll taken a year ago. This year’s poll found that Kiwis aged 60 and over were more likely to agree that Christmas Day had religious significance for them (63 percent), compared with 31 percent of 15 to 29 year olds.

22/12/08 - Tradition on the menu this Christmas.
We may like to think we have our own very unique New Zealand/South Pacific traditions, but on Christmas Day, few of us will be enjoying a hangi, barbecue or fresh seafood - more likely it’s roast turkey or ham on the menu, according to a Research New Zealand poll. The poll found that, for the year’s most anticipated meal, 25 percent of Kiwis would like to be served roast turkey, 23 percent of us would like ham, 20 percent roast chicken and 14 percent roast lamb. Only 6 percent of us would like to have a barbecue, 2 percent a hangi and 3 percent a vegetarian meal. The poll also showed that 9 percent of Kiwis didn’t have a preference when it came to a meal on Christmas Day and 4 percent were only interested in dessert.

22/12/08 - More Kiwis feeling confident about their financial situation.
Despite the torrent of gloomy financial news, more Kiwis are feeling optimistic about their financial situation than they were earlier this year, Research New Zealand polling shows. The poll taken between 26 November and 3 December 2008 found that 50 percent of New Zealanders expected to be in a somewhat or a lot better financial situation in the next 12 months. The poll also found that 25 percent expected no change, but 23 percent said they expected to be in a lot worse or somewhat worse financial situation in the next 12 months.

When the same question was asked in March 2008, 36 percent of New Zealanders said they expected to be better off in 12 months. In a September poll this figure had risen to 40 percent and in October it had risen again to 48 percent. In March 34 percent of those polled said they expected to be a lot or somewhat worse off compared with 23 percent in December. By far and away the most optimistic group were those aged between 15 and 29, with 38 percent expecting their financial situation to be a lot better, compared with 4 percent of 40 to 49 year olds and 5 percent of those aged 60 or more.

22/12/08 - Kiwis keen on moving summer holidays into February.
If you think the late December summer holiday break just isn’t delivering warm enough weather, you’re not alone.  A large number of Kiwis agree, according to a Research New Zealand poll. The poll found that 44 percent of New Zealanders believe we should move the summer holiday period from December to February, when the weather is warmer, compared to 51 percent, who would like to leave it as it is. Another 5 percent are undecided.

22/12/08 - Kiwis divided over monarchy and Queen's successor.
New Zealanders are divided over whether we should retain the Queen as Head of State, and whether Prince Charles or Prince William should succeed her. The latest Research New Zealand poll has found that 48 percent of New Zealanders did not favour a review of whether the Queen should remain New Zealand’s Head of State. However, a further 42 percent said New Zealand should consider becoming a republic, while 9 percent were unsure. The Research New Zealand polling showed that support for the monarchy was strongest among older people. Support for the monarchy was lowest (38 percent) among those aged 15 to 39 and strongest (61 percent) in those aged 60 or over. Women (52 percent) were also more supportive of retaining the monarchy than men (44 percent).

There were also clear differences between men and women when it came to deciding who should succeed the Queen. Overall, New Zealanders were almost evenly divided on the Queen’s successor with 45 percent preferring her grandson Prince William, and 43 percent preferring her son Prince Charles. However, women were more supportive of Prince William (49 percent) as the next Head of State than Charles (40 percent).  Conversely, men were more likely to choose Prince Charles (50 percent), compared with 37 percent who chose Prince William.

Australia is debating becoming a republic and a referendum on the issue is proposed for 2010.

8/12/08 - New Zealand workers worried about job security and future wage increases.
Nearly one in four New Zealand workers are worried about their jobs and the majority are not expecting a pay rise in the next year, the latest Research New Zealand polling shows.

24 percent of those in paid employment did not believe their job was secure, while 73 percent felt their employment was safe. The poll also showed that households earning less than $40,000, and younger workers were feeling the most insecure. The most bullish group of workers was aged between 30 and 39, with 13 percent that were not confident about their job security, compared with 86 percent who were.

When asked if they were expecting a pay rise in the next 12 months, 58 percent of workers said they were not expecting a pay rise in the next 12 months, with 39 percent expecting more in their pay packets. Lower income households were least likely to expect a pay rise with 67 percent of workers earning less than $40,000 saying they did not expect a pay rise in the next year. Workers aged 30 to 39 were the most confident of a pay rise, with 56 percent of those polled expecting a boost to their pay packets in the next 12 months.

The Research New Zealand poll of 500 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between 10 and 13 November. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.6 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of the population 15 years and over.
Click here to read or download the media release

5/12/08 - Support for the MMP electoral system has increased since the election.
Support for the MMP electoral system has increased since last month’s General Election, but there is still significant support for first past the post, Research New Zealand polling shows. A poll taken just days after the November 8 General Election found that 53 percent of New Zealanders favoured MMP (Mixed Member Proportional representation), with 35 percent saying they favoured first past the post. A similar poll taken in August, prior to the election, found 46 percent of those asked favoured MMP and 41 percent first past the post.

The Research New Zealand poll of 500 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between 10 and 13 November. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.6 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of New Zealand's general population.
Click here to read or download the media release

24/11/08 - Christmas spending likely to be down this year.
Retailers are likely to find that those tills might not be ringing very loudly in December as almost half of us plan to spend less this Christmas and two thirds of us believe our current financial situation is worse or a lot worse than it was 12 months ago. This was the finding of a Research New Zealand poll that asked Kiwis about how a tightening economy, rising prices and a falling real estate market was affecting them.

The poll found 28 percent of New Zealanders felt their current financial situation was worse and a further 11 percent felt it was a lot worse than it was 12 months ago.
When asked about their plans for Christmas, 45 percent of Kiwis said they planned to spend less this year and 46 percent said they would spend about the same. Only 7 percent said they would be spending more than a year ago.

The Research New Zealand poll of 500 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between the 14 and 22 October. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.5 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of the New Zealand population 15 years and over.
Click here to read or download the media release

03/11/08 - What's hotter: the NZ or the US election
New Zealand’s General Election may be in full swing but for a significant number of New Zealanders the more interesting electoral race is happening 10,000km away. The latest Research New Zealand polling shows that 14 percent of New Zealanders said they were more interested in the US presidential race than the New Zealand General Election.

A further 13 percent were as interested in the presidential campaign as the New Zealand election. While 74 percent of those polled were interested in the election at home (61 percent being more interested than in the US presidential race), the drama of the US election has caught the attention of a significant number of New Zealanders (27 percent).

The Research New Zealand poll of a nationwide sample of 500 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between the 14 and 22 October.
Click here to read or download the media release

30/10/08 - Nudity on beaches - new survey of public attitudes
Perhaps we aren’t as prudish as we thought, with almost a third of Kiwis happy for beach-goers to bare it all if they choose to, according to a Research New Zealand poll. The poll found 28 percent of Kiwis thought people should be allowed to be nude on our beaches and that figure rose to 54 percent when including those who thought nudity should only be allowed on designated beaches (26 percent). Against that, 45 percent thought people should not be allowed to be nude on our beaches.

The Research New Zealand poll of a nationwide random sample of 500 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between 14 and 22 October.
Click here to read or download the media release

28/10/08 - Confidence in the economy continues to fall
The latest poll shows that confidence in the economy has fallen sharply since the last poll in June. However, in the June poll the net confidence in trading conditions was zero showing that respondents were evenly divided in their confidence in the outlook for trading conditions for their own business. In October the net confidence in trading conditions for their own company was a negative 7 percentage points, showing that a majority of businesses now expect trading conditions for their own business to get worse.

The Dominion Post poll, conducted every four months is based on a sample of n=300 Small Business Enterprises (those that employ fewer than 20 people) located in the greater Wellington region (Wellington, Porirua, Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, and Wairarapa). This sample was obtained, at random, from a business directory. The survey was conducted by telephone on the 7th and 8th October 2008.
Click here to read or download the media release

16/10/08 - Kiwis are keen on organic food products
A Research New Zealand Poll has found that one third of kiwi grocery shoppers have bought organic produce in the last four weeks. 34 percent had bought organic fruit and vegetables, 14 percent had bought organic dairy products and 11 percent had bought organic meat products.

However, there is considerable price sensitivity. 24 percent of those interviewed, said that organic produce would become too expensive to buy if the price rose by 5 percent. If the price rose by 25 percent, 77 percent of grocery shoppers said it would become too expensive for them to buy. Free range foods showed similar price sensitivity.

The poll was conducted by telephone between 16 and 26 September with a sample of 529 people aged 15 and above. The maximum sampling error is +/- 4.7 percent at the 95% confidence level.
Click here to read or download the media release

29/09/08 - Kiwis are loyal buyers of NZ-made products
Kiwis are loyal when it comes to parting with their cash, with nearly two-thirds of us trying to buy New Zealand made, the latest Research New Zealand polling shows. The poll found that 59 percent of New Zealanders said they made a point of buying New Zealand-made goods and an additional 13 percent said it depended on what the goods were. One in four (28 percent) said they didn’t make a point of buying New Zealand made.

The Research New Zealand poll of 529 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between the 2 and 11 September. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.6 % (at the 95% confidence level).
Click here to read or download the media release

19/09/08 - Have women achieved equal rights with men?
A Research New Zealand poll released today on Women's Suffrage Day, shows that more than 110 years after women achieved the right to vote, almost one in three women believe that they do not have equal rights with men.

Younger women are much more likely to believe that they do have equal rights with men, with 87% of women in the age group 15 - 29 years expressing this sentiment.

The Research New Zealand poll of 529 people aged 15 years and over was conducted by telephone between 2 and 11 September. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.6%.

Click here to read or download the media release

26/08/08 - First past the Post the preferred voting method Research New Zealand poll shows.
Nearly half of New Zealanders say they prefer the first past the post electoral system rather than the current MMP system, the latest Research New Zealand polling shows. The poll found 46 percent of New Zealanders preferred the first past the post voting system, compared with 41 percent who supported the MMP (Mixed Member Proportional representation) system. A further 11 percent didn’t know, and three percent would prefer another system. The Research New Zealand poll of 500 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between 7 August and 14 August.
Click here to read or download the media release

25/08/08 - Research New Zealand releases results of poll on trust and confidence in the justice system and attitudes to sentencing
Six out of every 10 Kiwis don’t have full trust and confidence in the New Zealand justice system, the latest Research New Zealand polling shows. The poll found that 62 percent of Kiwis didn’t have full trust and confidence in the justice system, compared with 36 percent who said they did. The poll also found that Kiwis don’t think we’re tough enough on criminals when it comes to sentencing, with 75 percent of New Zealanders thinking criminal sentences are too soft, 21 percent thinking they are about right and one percent thinking sentences are too tough.

New Zealanders are divided on the question of whether capital punishment should be re-introduced for the worst murder crimes, 48% saying they would support it, and 49% saying that they would not.

The Research New Zealand poll of 500 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between 7 August and 14 August.
Click here to read or download the media release

14/08/08 - Reactions to petrol prices
Kiwis are ditching their cars and taking to their feet as petrol costs see many of us changing our travelling habits, the latest Research New Zealand polling shows. The Research New Zealand poll of 500 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between 15 June and 24 July.
Click here to read or download the media release

14/08/08 - Reactions to mandatory eco light bulbs
Kiwis are equally divided about whether they support the Government’s move to make eco light bulbs mandatory from next year, the latest Research New Zealand polling shows. The Research New Zealand poll of 500 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between 15 June and 24 July.
Click here to read or download the media release

22/07/08 - All Blacks support grows with on-field action
Good news for Graham Henry and the NZRU; one in three Kiwis say they’re feeling more positive towards the All Blacks, Research New Zealand polling shows. The Research New Zealand poll of 503 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between 25 June and 9 July.
Click here to read or download the media release

22/07/08 - One in two Kiwis approve of Police carrying guns
Half of New Zealanders think Police should carry guns, with the strongest support coming from males and those aged under 50, the latest Research New Zealand polling shows. The polling also shows that more than two fifths of us are more worried about our personal safety than we were a year ago. The Research New Zealand poll of 500 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between 25 June and 9 July.
Click here to read or download the media release

22/07/08 - Wind farms looking good poll finds
The majority of New Zealanders have no problem with the look of wind farms though not everyone wants to see them from their home, the latest Research New Zealand polling shows. Of those polled, 84 percent said they had no objection to the way wind farms look, while 13 percent said they were opposed to the look of wind farms. The Research New Zealand poll of 500 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between 25 June and 9 July.
Click here to read or download the media release

18/06/08 - Confidence in the economy continues to fall
This poll, based on a representative sample of 300 small and medium size enterprises in the Wellington region shows that although confidence in the economy continues to slide, individual businesses believe themselves to be well insulated from this situation. The survey was conducted by telephone between the 4th and 7th of June.
Click here to read or download the media release

17/06/08 - Struggling kiwis want tax cuts on food, petrol
This poll, conducted recently between 3 and 6 June, with a nationally representative sample of New Zealanders, shows that there is a high expectation that tax on basics such as food and petrol is reduced. In the light of rising prices for these types of items and current levels of economic confidence, etc. this is not an unexpected result.
Click here to read or download the media release

10/06/08 - Tax cuts a major issue for Kiwi voters
Research New Zealand polling has found that tax cuts are the most important issue for Kiwis as they consider how they are going to cast their vote in this year's general election. The poll was conducted between 14 April and 23 May prior to the budget announcement
Click here to read or download the media release

05/06/08 - Kiwis cutting back on heating bills as winter sets in
64% of New Zealanders are cutting back on their heating bill as increased power prices begin to bite and as winter sets in, a Research New Zealand poll has found. The poll was conducted by telephone between 14 and 23 May, with a sample of 500 New Zealanders 15 years and over. It has a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 4.6%.
Click here to read or download the media release

26/05/08 - Kiwis ready to consider nuclear power as option
More than one third (36%) of New Zealanders believe nuclear energy should be considered as a viable energy source for New Zealand, a Research New Zealand poll has found. 56% were opposed while 6% were undecided. The poll was conducted by telephone with a sample of 500 persons between 14 and 21 May 2008.
Click here to read or download the media release

07/05/08 - Moving to Australia appeals to New Zealanders
The idea of moving to Australia appeals to 38% of New Zealanders. Among the young (15-29 years) the idea appeals to 50%. Job opportunities, the better climate and the lifestyle were given as reasons. The poll of 501 people was conducted by telephone between 14 and 22 April 2008.
Click here to read or download the media release

24/04/08 - Strong support for ANZAC Day as national day
ANZAC Day is growing in importance as the day that confirms the national identity and shared past of New Zealanders a Research New Zealand poll shows. This is particularly the case among young New Zealanders. The poll was conducted by telephone on 14 - 22 April and has a sample size of 501.
Click here to read or download the media release

10/04/08 - Kiwis look to sports people to be role models
Kiwi's expect professional athletes to set standards both on and off the sports field. A Research New Zealand poll of 500 people aged 15 and over, conducted between 12 and 18 March 2008, showed that 82% of New Zealanders believe professional sportspeople have a responsibility to behave as good role models.
Click here to read or download the media release

26/03/08 - 2008 Public Policy Conference
At the Public Policy Conference on 26 March, Research New Zealand Partner Emanuel Kalafatelis spoke about the need for the government to employ consultation processes that encourage a wider group of New Zealanders to participate.
Click here to download the speech

25/03/08 - Kiwis support ban on Easter Trading.
Recently there has been discussion about whether the ban on trading on Good Friday and Easter Sunday should be relaxed. A Research New Zealand poll shows that there is, in fact, solid support for the ban staying in place. Only 32% support liberalisation of the Easter trading hours, with 64% opposed.
Click here to read or download the media release

20/03/08 - Kiwis want mobile phone use banned while driving, with some exceptions.
A recent poll shows that 86 percent of New Zealanders believe it should be illegal to use a mobile phone while driving, with just 13 percent disagreeing that it should be illegal. When respondents who believe mobile phones should be banned were asked about free hands options, 50 percent thought that even their use should be banned while driving, although the other half (49 percent) felt their use was acceptable.
This poll is based on a nationally representative sample of adult New Zealanders, 15 years or more. Interviewing was conducted by telephone between the 12th and 18th of March 2008. Results based on the total sample are subject to a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percent (at the 95 percent confidence level).
Click here to read or download the media release

25/02/08 - Confidence in the economy falls again, although optimists still outnumber pessimists in confidence about their own trading conditions.
The Research New Zealand poll of business confidence among SMEs in the Wellington Region, conducted for WHK Sherwin Chan & Walshe in November 2007, shows that while one-third of respondents believe the economy will worsen, most believed their trading conditions will remain relatively stable.
This survey is based on a sample of n=300 Small Business Enterprises (less than 20 employees) in the greater Wellington region (Wellington, Porirua, Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, Kapiti and Wairarapa), selected at random from the telephone directory. The survey was conducted by telephone between the 12th and 14th of February 2008.
Click here to read or download the media release

22/02/08 - Economic uncertainty curbs Kiwis’ spending.
More than half of Kiwis plan to tighten their belts this year following reports about the uncertainty of the global economy, Research New Zealand polling shows.
The Research New Zealand poll of 501 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between the 12 and 18 February. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.7 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of New Zealand's general population. The poll was not taken on behalf of any organisation but as part of Research New Zealand’s monthly survey of attitudes and opinions.
Click here to read or download the media release

21/02/08 - Kiwis keen to get fit in 2008.
Expect to see more Kiwis pounding the pavements and lifting weights this year as two thirds of New Zealanders intend to do more exercise in 2008, Research New Zealand polling shows.
The Research New Zealand poll of 501 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between the 12 and 18 February. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.7 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of New Zealand's general population. The poll was not taken on behalf of any organisation but as part of Research New Zealand’s monthly survey of attitudes and opinions.
Click here to read or download the media release

21/02/08 - Extra $20 in pocket important to Kiwis
An extra $20 a week via tax cuts would make a difference for 50% of New Zealanders, Research New Zealand polling shows.
The Research New Zealand poll of 501 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between the 12 and 18 February. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.7 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of New Zealand's general population. The poll was not taken on behalf of any organisation but as part of Research New Zealand’s monthly survey of attitudes and opinions.
Click here to read or download the media release

21/02/08 - Kiwis' interest in rugby waning.
Nearly a third of New Zealanders are suffering from rugby fatigue following the World Cup loss in 2007. The Research New Zealand poll of 501 people aged 15 and over was completed by telephone between the 12 and 18 February 2008, during the first week of the Super 14.
Click here to read or download the media release

20/02/08 - Higher fuel prices keep Kiwis’ cars at home.
Rising fuel prices are forcing nearly a third of Kiwis to drive their car less often, Research New Zealand polling shows.
The Research New Zealand poll of 501 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between the 12 and 18 February. The maximum margin of error is +/- 4.7 % (at the 95% confidence level). The data has been weighted to ensure it is an accurate representation of New Zealand's general population. The poll was not taken on behalf of any organisation but as part of Research New Zealand’s monthly survey of attitudes and opinions.
Click here to read or download the media release

20/02/08 - Kiwis remain opposed to "anti-smacking" legislation.
Nine months after the controversial "anti-smacking" legislation was passed three quarters of New Zealanders remain opposed to it. The Research New Zealand poll of 501 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between 12 and 18 February 2008.
Click here to read or download the media release

19/12/07 - Forget the image of a good old Kiwi barbie on the beach on Christmas Day, Kiwis are more likely to be sitting down to a traditional roast meal on December 25.
The latest Research New Zealand poll asked Kiwis what they'd like to eat for their main Christmas meal and found two-thirds (66%) of us prefer a roast meal (either turkey, chicken or lamb). A further 22% would opt for for ham.
Click here to read or download the media release

28/11/07 - Confidence in the economy remains downbeat, although optimists still outnumber pessimists in confidence about their own trading conditions:
The Research New Zealand poll of business confidence among SMEs in the Wellington Region, conducted for Sherwin Chan & Walshe in November 2007, shows that while one-third of respondents believe the economy will worsen, most believed their trading conditions will remain relatively stable.
Click here to read or download the media release

26/11/07 - Kiwi sports supporters stay staunch despite losses:
The majority of Kiwis are sticking by national sports teams despite the high profile and painful losses, including losses in the America's Cup, and the Cricket, Netball and Rugby World Cups. The Research New Zealand poll of 500 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between 13 and 19 November 2007.
Click here to read or download the media release

26/11/07 - Fireworks ban still polarises the country:
While the majority of New Zealanders favour a ban on the public sale of fireworks, there has been no surge in support of a ban since last year. The Research New Zealand poll of 500 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between 13 and 19 November 2007.
Click here to read or download the media release

30/10/07 - More public spending preferred over tax cuts:
A Research New Zealand poll conducted soon after the Government's October 10 announcement of a cash surplus of $2.6 billion for the 2007 financial year, showed more support for spending the Government's surplus on public works or services than on tax cuts. The Research New Zealand poll of 503 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between 18 and 22 October 2007.
Click here to read or download the media release

02/10/07 - Independent Research New Zealand poll shows that rising interest rates are a concern for New Zealanders with mortgages:
Research New Zealand polling indicates that rising mortgage interest rates are a concern for 68% of Kiwis with mortgages. The poll of 500 people aged 15 and over was conducted by telephone between the 12th and 20th of September 2007. Of the 500 people interviewed, 206 had mortgages.
Click here to read or download the media release

28/08/07 - Confidence in the economy remains downbeat although optimists still outnumber pessimists in confidence about trading conditions:
A Research New Zealand/Sherwin Chan & Walshe business confidence survey of 293 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), conducted between the 14th and 20th August 2007 shows that confidence in the New Zealand economy is still down. Nevertheless, respondents felt that their industry sector would not be significantly affected by the general deterioration in the economy, and that trading conditions would remain relatively stable.
Click here to read or download the media release

22/08/07 - Sustainability fails to inspire public:
Sustainability may be the new buzz word in government and business circles, but new research indicates that it has yet to catch on with the wider public. A research New Zealand-Clemenger BBDO poll into attitudes towards sustainability found that only 28% of New Zealanders said they followed the issue closely. The survey also identified a lack of clarity around what sustainability meant.
Click here to read or download the media release

07/08/07 - Little support for banning wood fired home heating:
Wood-fired home heating may have been identified as one of the primary causes of air pollution, but New Zealanders are reluctant to see it banned. A Research New Zealand poll has found that more than three-quarters of New Zealanders are opposed to a ban on wood-fired home heating.
Click here to read or download the media release

30/07/07 - Strong support for some funding for next America's Cup challenge:
A Research New Zealand poll, taken before Team New Zealand confirmed it would challenge for the next America's Cup, points to a significant level of support for government funding.
Click here to read or download the media release

12/07/07 - KiwiSaver could attract a third of eligible New Zealanders:
A Research New Zealand poll, taken between 27 and 30 June, shows that 35% of New Zealanders 15 years and over, have or intend to, join the KiwiSaver scheme in the next 12 months. The poll showed that young people and women were less likely to join the scheme than others, as were those on low incomes. Reasons for not planning to join the scheme were, among others, that the respondent already had a retirement savings plan, or that they couldn’t afford to join the scheme.
Click here to read or download the media release

18/06/07 - Limited support for Christianity:
A Research New Zealand poll conducted between June 7 and 9 2007 shows that the majority of New Zealanders are against recognising Christianity as the country's official religion.The poll was taken after Destiny Church Bishop Brian Tamaki called for official recognition of Christianity at a protest outside an international conference on religious tolerance at Waitangi on May 29 2007.
Click here to read or download the media release

30/05/07 - Poll reveals what’s on our minds:
While health remains the most important top-of-mind issue for New Zealanders, education is becoming increasingly significant, the latest Research New Zealand poll shows. Education appears to increase as an issue for New Zealanders in line with the debate around educational standards. The poll was conducted by telephone between May 1 and May 5 with a sample of n=499 people 15 years and over and makes comparison with the findings of similar polls conducted in May and December 2006.
Click here to read or download the media release

21/05/07 - Confidence in the economy dips sharply although optimists still outnumber pessimists in confidence about trading conditions
The Research New Zealand poll of business confidence among SMEs in the Wellington Region, conducted for Sherwin Chan & Walshe in May 2007, shows that confidence in the New Zealand economy has declined since February 2007. Nevertheless, optimists still outnumber pessimists in confidence about trading conditions for their own firms
Click here to read or download the media release

30/04/07 - Bazley Report Findings Damage Police Credibility
One week after the release of the report of the Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct, we conducted a poll to gauge overall public awareness of the Bazley Report and to ask if those who had heard of the Report believed its findings damaged the credibility of the police?
Click here to read or download the media release

27/03/07 - Majority rejects "unenforceable" anti-smacking bill
As you may have heard, the Government has backed down on forcing through anti-smacking legislation. This is in the wake of strong public opinion. Our poll on the proposed legislation, released on National Radio and referred to in the Dominion Post, reflects the public's strong opposition to this legislation.
Click here to read or download the media release

05/03/07 - Significant support for capital gains tax on investment properties
There has been some recent media coverage about the viability of a capital gains tax. Our poll on the general public's support for such a tax suggests it would be political suicide to introduce such a tax.
Click here to read or download the media release

05/03/07 - Kiwis still rate NZ as a good place to raise children
In February, UNICEF released a fairly damming report for New Zealand in terms of the safety and general well being of children. We were surprised by the result and sought the general public's opinion on this subject. While New Zealanders in general still feel New Zealand is a safe place to bring up children, with just two-thirds giving us the best possible result, we wonder if there is in fact a softening of this view.
Click here to read or download the media release

07/02/07 - Majority believes there is more crime in NZ now compared to ten years ago
Two sets of poll results in the same week is, I admit, a bit unusual. However, the results of this poll on violent crime illustrate the important difference between perceptions and facts. As you will see, there is an overwhelming perception that there is significantly more violent crime in New Zealand now, than there was ten years ago. However, this doesn't appear to be supported by the official statistics. The question that we must now ask ourselves is, why is this the case and is this belief of concern?
Click here to read or download the media release

02/02/07 - Majority sees no significance in Waitangi Day
One week before Waitangi Day we conducted a poll about the significance of this day for New Zealanders in general.
Click here to read or download the media release

Back to top