A survey of 1600 people has found two-thirds of New Zealanders are willing to pay more tax for better healthcare – particularly when it comes to cancer.
The survey, funded by the Cancer Society and published as a nine-paper series in the New Zealand Medical Journal, also found consensus across voters for all major parties about the need for tougher regulation on tobacco and unhealthy foods, and more urgent action on skin cancer prevention, cancer screening and treatment.
A collaboration between University of Otago cancer researchers and the Cancer Society, called Te Rōpu Rangahau ō te Kāhui Matepukupuku, undertook the study.
Its lead director, Professor Louise Signal, a professor of public health at Otago University in Wellington, said the results showed a clear public mandate for evidence-based cancer policy – what was lacking was political action.
“We were surprised at the extent of the cross-party support from many of the policies that we suggested,” she said. “Overwhelmingly, New Zealanders think they should be reinstated, including… significant majorities, in most cases, of the coalition partner voters.”
The study found 1034 people, or 62 percent of respondents, supported the idea of paying more tax for increased healthcare funding. In contrast, 458, or 29 percent, were opposed, and the remainder did not know.
Signal said the survey was a representative sample of the New Zealand public, and the government often relied on surveys such as this for policy making. “So I think we can be confident that indeed New Zealanders are willing to pay more tax for better health care.”
Professor Louise Signal.
© University of Otago
The results also showed strong, cross-party support from voters for greater investment in cancer care, and it’s particularly strong among older New Zealanders.
The Cancer Society’s head of advocacy and public affairs, Rachael Neumann, said it created a clear mandate for the government to invest more in cancer diagnosis, treatment and care.
Public support for early cancer detection, treatment and care policies was higher than 90 percent, regardless of which party people said they intended to vote for.
“Together, an ageing population and entrenched inequities mean the demand for timely, equitable cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment will continue to intensify in the coming decades unless this action is taken.”
Support for stronger regulations on unhealthy food, tobacco, alcohol and lobbying
The results showed wide-ranging support for reinstating tobacco reforms, sugary drinks taxes, protecting children from marketing for alcohol and junk food, stricter alcohol laws, and significantly more sun safety action.
On Tuesday, Labour announced if elected, it would reinstate its smokefree generation policy, repealed in 2024 by the current government. When it was first introduced under the previous Labour government, it would have meant that people born on or after 1 January, 2009 would never be able to purchase tobacco products again.
Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall signalled this time, the cut-off date would change, but didn’t say what to.
There was also strong support for stand-down periods for outgoing politicians before they could become lobbyists, and stronger regulations on lobbying in general – particularly in the areas of sugary foods and alcohol.
There were 1267 (79 percent) of respondents in favour of no industry involvement in healthy food environment policy, compared with 292 (17 percent) against.
“[Respondents] certainly want the alcohol and junk food industries out of policy making,” Signal said.