National (43.5%) with Strong Lead Over Labour (29%)

Saturday, 27 October 2012, 12:23 pm
Press Release: Roy Morgan Research

National (43.5%) with Strong Lead Over Labour (29%)
But Labor/ Greens/ New Zealand First Still Likely to Win Election

Today’s New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll shows a rise in support for Prime Minister John Key’s National Party to 43.5% (up 2% since September 24 — October 7, 2012). Support for Key’s Coalition partners shows the Maori Party 3.5% (up 2%), ACT NZ 0.5% (unchanged) and United Future 0% (down 0.5%).

Support for Labour is 29% (down 4.5%); Greens are 13% (down 0.5%), New Zealand First 7.5% (up 1%), Mana Party 0.5% (up 0.5%), Conservative Party of NZ 2% (unchanged) and Others 0.5% (unchanged).

If a National Election were held today this New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll says a Labor/ Greens/ New Zealand First Coalition would be likely to form government.

The latest New Zealand Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating is up 4pts to 110 with 49% (up 5%) of New Zealanders saying New Zealand is ‘heading in the right direction’ compared to 39% (up 1%) that say New Zealand is ‘heading in the wrong direction’.

Gary Morgan says:

“Today’s New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll shows Prime Minister John Key’s National (43.5%, up 2%) increasing their lead over the main Opposition Labor Party (29%, down 4.5%) - National now holds a similar size lead over Labour as early September: National (46.5%) cf. Labour (31%).

“Since early September support has drifted to the minor parties with New Zealand First increasing its support to 7.5% (up 3% since early September — the highest level of support for NZ First since August 2005), Maori Party (3.5%, up 1%) and the Greens (13%, up 0.5%). On an overall basis National (43%) now trails significantly behind a left-wing Coalition of Labor/ Greens/ New Zealand First (49.5%) that would likely form Government if an election were held today.

“Although National has improved off its low recorded in early October (41.5%), for Prime Minister Key to continue regaining lost support he needs to pay close attention to a special New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll released today which shows Economic Issues (57%, up 5% since July 2012) — including Unemployment/ Job security (19%); Economy/ Recession (16%) and Poverty/ The Gap between rich and poor (13%) are the most important problems facing New Zealanders — well ahead of Social Issues (13%, down 6%) and Government/ Politics/ Human Rights Issues (13%, up 1%).”

Full Tables & Details: http://www.roymorgan.com/news/polls/2012/4833

ECONOMIC ISSUES ARE STILL EASILY THE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEMS FACING
NZ (57%) AND FACING THE WORLD (48%) ACCORDING TO NEW ZEALANDERS

Economic issues are today clearly the most important concerns facing New Zealand and the World according to the latest Roy Morgan Research conducted in October 2012.

New Zealand views on Problems facing New Zealand

When asked about the most important problem facing New Zealand, Economic issues are mentioned by 57% (up 5% since July 2012) well ahead of Social issues (13%, down 6%), Government and Public Policy Issues (13%, up 1%) and Environmental issues (4%, down 2%).

The most important Economic issues facing New Zealand include Unemployment/ Job security (19%, up 6%), the Economy/ Financial crisis/ Recession/ Inflation/ Exchange rate/ High dollar (16%, up 1%), Poverty/ Gap between the Rich and the Poor (13%, up 5%) and the Cost of living/ Increasing prices/ Financial hardship/ Household debt (4%, down 3%).

New Zealand views on Problems facing the World

The biggest World problems are Economic issues (48%, unchanged since July 2012), far in front of Terrorism/ Wars/ Security issues (16%, up 8%), Social issues (12%, down 3%) and Environmental issues (10%, down 3%).

The most important Economic issues facing the World mentioned by New Zealanders are the Economy/ Financial Crisis/ Recession (20%, down 5%) and Poverty/ The gap between rich & poor/ Imbalance of wealth (17%, up 4%).

Michele Levine says:

“This latest New Zealand Roy Morgan Issues Research shows that the Economy once again dominates the concerns facing both New Zealand (57%, up 5%) and the World (48%, unchanged).

“The dominant Economic issues facing New Zealand are Unemployment/ Job security (19%, up 6%), Economy/ Financial crisis/ Recession/ Inflation/ Exchange rate/ High dollar (16%, up 1%), and Poverty/ Gap between the Rich and Poor (13%, up 5%).

“Other important issues facing New Zealand include Government/ Politicians/ Leadership/ Government Spending (6%, unchanged), Social Apathy/ Lack of values/ Lack of empathy toward others/ Intolerance (4%, unchanged) and Education (3%, up 1%).

“When asked about World issues, the most important Economic issues are the Economy/ Financial crisis/ Recession (20%, down 5%) and Poverty/ The gap between rich & poor/ Imbalance of wealth (17%, up 4%). The next most important issues facing the World are Wars & Conflicts/ Unrest (9%, up 3%), Religion/ Religious conflict (5%, up 4%) and Social apathy/ Lack of values/ Lack of empathy toward others/ Intolerance (5%, unchanged). War/ Terrorism Issues (16%, up 8%) has increased to its highest level ever after five New Zealand soldiers were killed in Afghanistan in August — the worst level of fatalities for NZ since the Vietnam War.”

Full Tables & Details: http://www.roymorgan.com/news/polls/2012/4832

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