Ipsos New Zealand 32nd Issues Monitor
Ipsos New Zealand has released the 32nd edition of the Ipsos Issues Monitor, which tracks the most important issues facing New Zealanders today and which political parties are perceived as best able to manage them. The survey has been running since 2018.
The latest survey of 1,001 New Zealanders reveals that Inflation / cost of living remains the most pressing issue, with 61% identifying it as a top concern. The most significant change this quarter is a significant surge in concern for Petrol prices / fuel, which has jumped 17 percentage points to 26%, making it the 4th most important issue. The top three issues remain unchanged, with Healthcare / hospitals (39%) and the Economy (33%) holding firm in second and third place, respectively.
Meanwhile, concern for Housing / price of housing has seen a significant decrease, falling to its lowest level since reporting began, though it remains in the top 5 at 21%. Going into an election year the monitor also shows the rating of Government performance has stabilised at 4.2 out of 10, unchanged from February 2026.
Other key findings include:
Issues
- Inflation / cost of living (61%) continues to be the number one issue facing New Zealanders, a position it has held since February 2022.
- The sharp increase in concern for Petrol prices / fuel (from 9% in Feb 2026 to 26% in May 2026) has pushed Crime / law and order (16%) out of the top five issues for the first time in three years.
- Concern for Housing / price of housing (21%) and Crime / law and order (16%) both saw significant decreases of 4 percentage points compared to the previous quarter.
- A clear generational divide is apparent. Younger New Zealanders (aged 18-34) are significantly more concerned about immediate financial pressures, including Petrol prices (35%), Housing/Price of housing (34%), and Unemployment (29%).
- Conversely, Healthcare / hospitals is the primary concern for older Kiwis, with 60% of those aged 65+ citing it as a top issue—significantly higher than the national average (39%).
- After a significant increase in importance as an issue in February 2022, Immigration has declined by 2ppt to 6% and is now ranked 13th.
Government performance
- New Zealanders’ rating of the current government’s performance has stabilised with a mean score of 4.2 out of 10. The proportion of New Zealanders rating the performance positively (7-10 out of 10) has held steady at 27%.
- The Labour party is perceived as the political party most capable of handling 4 of the top 5 issues: Inflation / cost of living, Healthcare / hospitals, Petrol prices / fuel, and Housing / price of housing.
- The National party is now solely perceived as being the most capable of managing The economy, holding a 5-point lead over Labour on this issue.
- Beyond the top five issues, the Green Party is seen as the most capable party for managing Climate change and Environmental pollution, while Te Pāti Māori leads on Issues facing Māori.
- When compared to Australia, New Zealanders show higher levels of concern for Healthcare (39% vs. 20% in Australia) and The economy (33% vs. 25%). Australians, in turn, are more concerned about Housing (40% vs. 21% in NZ) and Immigration (23% vs. 6% in NZ).
Carin Hercock, Country Manager, Ipsos New Zealand, said: “New Zealanders are making it very clear that this issues that they think are most important leading up to this year’s election are inflation, the economy and healthcare. The race is tight between the two major parties on these issues with Labour leading on inflation and healthcare and National regaining the lead on the economy.”
Amanda Dudding, Executive Director Public Affairs, Ipsos New Zealand, added: “Concerns about fuel prices have surged into the top 5 issues facing New Zealanders post the Iran conflict, far higher than concerns about immigration that have now slipped back to the bottom 5 issues we monitor ”
