Ipsos New Zealand 31st Issues Monitor
New Zealand / Aotearoa, 2 March 2026 - The latest Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor reveals that Inflation / cost of living continues to be the most important issue facing New Zealanders with 59% identifying it as a key issue. Healthcare (38%) remains the second most important issue for Kiwis, having declined from its peak as an issue (44%) recorded in August ‘25. The economy (33%) is growing in prominence and continues its upward trajectory, holding steady as the nation's third most important issue.
Concern for Housing / price of housing (38%) remains in 4th place and is showing early signs of a resurgence after a significant drop in the previous wave and a steady downward trend since early 2024. Crime / Law and order (20%) remains steady to round out the top five concerns.
Meanwhile, the government’s performance rating has seen a significant increase, rising to 4.2 out of 10 from a record low of 3.9 in October 2025. National has made significant gains in public perception, closing the capability gap with Labour on four of the top five issues, and now sits equal with Labour on their perceived capability to manage The economy. Labour is perceived as the most, or equally capable of, managing 15 out of the top 20 issues.
Other key findings include:
- Inflation / cost of living (59%) remains the number one issue facing New Zealanders, although the level of concern has stabilised compared to previous waves.
- The ranking of top five issues facing the country are unchanged since October 2025: Inflation / cost of living (59%), Healthcare / hospitals (38%), The economy (33%), Housing / price of housing (25%), and Crime / law and order (20%).
- Concern around Petrol prices / fuel has seen a significant increase this wave, re-entering the top 10 issues at 9%. In contrast, Education has seen a significant drop in concern and is no longer a top-10 issue.
- Healthcare / hospitals remains the second most pressing issue for Kiwis (38%). However, it is the primary concern for older Kiwis, with 58% of those aged 65+ selecting it as their top issue.
- While Housing / price of housing is the fourth-ranked issue nationally (25%), it has resurged as the second-most important issue for those aged 18-34, with 34% citing it as a major concern.
- Unemployment (19%) remains a top-five concern for young New Zealanders (aged 18-34), at 26%, which is significantly higher than the national average.
Carin Hercock, Country Manager, Ipsos New Zealand, said: “As we enter an election year, Inflation, healthcare and the economy are the clear issues that New Zealanders will be assessing political parties against and the battle ground is firmly set, with a neck-and-neck race on capability of managing the economy.”
Government performance
- New Zealanders’ rating of the current government’s performance has seen a statistically significant increase from a mean score of 3.9 out of 10 in October 2025 to 4.2 out of 10. The proportion of New Zealanders scoring the government's performance in the top 4 (7-10) has also risen significantly to 27% from 23%.
- A shift has occurred in public perception of economic management, with the gap between the two main parties closing: Labour and National are now tied at 32% when it comes to perceived ability to manage The economy.
- Labour is perceived as the political party most capable or equally capable of managing four of the top five issues – Inflation / cost of living, Healthcare, The economy, and Housing.
- National continues to be seen as the most effective party for managing Crime / Law & Order (34% vs Labour's 27%) and equally as capable of managing The economy. National has significantly narrowed the capability gap on both Inflation / cost of living and Healthcare / hospitals.
Amanda Dudding, Executive Director Public Affairs, Ipsos New Zealand, added: “There are some surprises in the issues rated as less important by New Zealanders. Immigration is an issue to watch, jumping 4 places up the ranking to just sit outside the top 10, and no change for Climate Change as an issue given the devastating impacts of severe weather events this summer.”
Download a full copy of the 31st Ipsos Issues monitor, New Zealand edition here.
