The polling, conducted between March 19 and 23, showed global conflict and international instability were key drivers of anxiety, with 70% highly concerned and, of that, 31% were extremely concerned.
That comes as the war in Ukraine (after the Kremlin’s invasion) surpasses four years and almost 18 months have passed since conflict began in Gaza. A month after taking part in the bombing of Iran and killing its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the US has sent the nation a 15-point plan to end the war, but Iran’s Foreign Minister has said Tehran has no plans to negotiate with the US.
Most respondents (85%) saw New Zealand as being “highly exposed” to global shocks, particularly for fuel and essentials. Of this cohort, 48% said New Zealand was “extremely vulnerable”.
Women more worried about economy
Inflation and the economy remained a top-of-mind issue for New Zealanders as many continue to struggle to make ends meet amid an intense cost-of-living crisis. Last week, the Government announced a new support package that would provide $50 per week via the In-Work Tax Credit to help some low- and middle-income families with the rising fuel costs.
However, reporting by the Herald revealed the criteria of the support excluded around half of the country’s most vulnerable children living in material hardship.
Overall, just under a quarter of New Zealanders were extremely concerned about inflation and the economy.
By gender, more women than men were extremely concerned about most of the issues in Kantar’s survey, particularly the economy (26% v 19%), inflation (26% v 19%) and global conflicts (35% v 27%).
Just under half of all respondents were highly concerned about how the country was being run, and 21% said they were “extremely concerned”.
Next to energy prices, global instability, and inflation, governance was not the paramount concern for respondents. Just under half of respondents had some degree of concern for how the country was being run, and of this, 21% were extremely concerned.
Respondents were polled after memorable events for both political leaders. Labour leader Chris Hipkins recently faced allegations by his ex-wife which he has strenuously rejected, and a poor poll result prompted speculation over Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s future.
But a different survey, conducted exclusively for the Herald by ConsumerLink, which sits within the Kantar network, revealed most New Zealanders’ views about both leaders had not changed following those events.
Concerns around climate change remained steady, Kantar said, with a modest 1 point increase for those who felt extremely concerned about the issue (15%). Overall, 40% said they were highly concerned about climate change.
Levels of concern were lower for tariffs; a recent headline issue when US President Donald Trump announced a slew of hiked tariffs on countries around the world. Just over a third were concerned, and of this portion, 12% said they felt extremely concerned.
With a sample size of 100, the maximum margin of error (at 95% confidence level) is ±3.1%.
Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.