Poll: 57% say completely cancel asset sales in event of referendum “No” result

A Horizon Research poll which correctly called the result of the asset sales referendum also found that 57% of New Zealanders wanted all future sales cancelled if the referendum result opposed sales.

The official preliminary referendum result is 67.2% against and 32.5% for selling up to 49% of Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power, Genesis Power, Solid Energy and Air New Zealand sales.

The HorizonPoll of 2,841 people in October, representing the New Zealand adult population, found 69.3% at that time would vote no to and 30.7% yes.  (The survey’s maximum margin of error is +/- 1.8%).

The survey also asked what respondents thought the Government should do if there was less than majority support for partial asset sales.

·         14.8% said to carry on with the sales

·         24.8% said to continue with any sales underway but not sell any more, and

·         57% said to cancel any sales underway and not sell any more of these assets.

(3.7% suggested something else should be done).
 
Those  who voted National at the 2011 general election are slightly more for completing any sales under way but cancelling future sales (34.2%) than other options (carry on 33.1%, completely cancel 30.2%).
 
Earlier results for the HorizonPoll survey are here.

Electoral Commission preliminary referendum results are here.

ENDS

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