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\nPhoto: RNZ\n<\/p>\n
New Zealanders are in favour of the the ultra-rich being taxed more to fund healthcare, housing and climate action, a new poll shows.<\/p>\n
Another poll also revealed Kiwis overwhelmingly wanted politicians to govern with future generations in mind and the economic system to be changed.<\/p>\n
The two Talbot Mills polls were commissioned by the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa.<\/p>\n
The first was conducted in October 2025, which showed 84 percent agree that major political parties should work together to find long-term solutions to major challenges that affect future wellbeing, such as climate change, healthcare, and poverty reduction.<\/p>\n
While 78 percent supported a national conversation over values and longer-term goals, and interests of future generations should be a priority in decision-making.<\/p>\n
It also showed 75 percent were frustrated that major political parties were constantly changing positions on important national issues.<\/p>\n
The second poll commissioned in February 2026 revealed that 66 percent agreed that New Zealand’s economic system was not set up to effectively to address issues like housing, healthcare and climate change.<\/p>\n
Half of New Zealanders also agreed that billionaires shouldn’t exist while people still struggled with basic necessities like food.<\/p>\n
Sixty-eight percent supported billionaires being taxed more to fund public goods like healthcare, housing and climate action.<\/p>\n
And another 37 percent were in favour of introducing a billion-dollar wealth cap to minimise the amount of wealth any person could legally hold.<\/p>\n
Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa director Gareth Hughes said the polls were evident that Kiwis weren’t happy with the economy.<\/p>\n
“There is an overwhelming view that politicians need to stop making decisions around election cycles and instead take a longer term view, so that our kids and their grandkids can prosper on a healthy planet.<\/p>\n
“New Zealanders can see and feel inequality rising above them, whilst more wealth is siphoned to the very wealthy. As an election draws near, politicians of all stripes must take a good look at how we can reorient our economy so that wealth doesn’t accumulate at the top whilst everyone else falls further behind.”<\/p>\n
Hughes said New Zealand was at a crossroads and Kiwis were urging for a rethink of the economy to tackle issues like housing, infrastructure and climate change.<\/p>\n