Ipsos NZ Issues Monitor - August 2025

New Zealanders’ concern about cost of living significantly increases; and concern for unemployment at highest level in five years

Ipsos New Zealand has released the 29th edition of the Ipsos Issues Monitor which tracks the most important issues facing New Zealanders today and which political parties are best able to manage them.

Running since 2018, the quarterly survey of 1,002 New Zealanders reveals significant increases in concern about inflation / cost of living and unemployment. Inflation / cost of living remains the most important, with 60% of New Zealanders identifying it as a concern increasing significantly on the previous wave. Meanwhile, concern for Unemployment is at its highest point since November 2020, with 1 in 5 (19%) New Zealanders identifying it as a key issue.

Healthcare (44%), The economy (30%), and Housing / price of housing (26%) remain the second, third, and fourth top issues respectively, while Crime / law and order remained in the top 5 despite a significant decrease (21%, from 25% in May 2025).

A few of the key findings from the Issues Monitor include:

  • The proportion of New Zealanders selecting Inflation / cost of living as a key issue is at its highest point since May 2024 and has been the top issue facing New Zealanders since February 2022.
  • Healthcare / hospitals remains the second top issue and continues on its steady upward trend, reaching its highest level of concern since tracking began (44%).
  • Concern around The economy appears to be stabilising, with 30% identifying it as a key issue (32% in May), while Housing / price of housing remains stable at 26%.

Carin Hercock, Country Manager, Ipsos New Zealand, said:  “New Zealanders’ concerns around inflation and the cost of living have increased significantly. This, combined with growing worries around unemployment, now in the top 5 issues for under 50s, is likely to have a real impact on their confidence for spending.”

Amanda Dudding, Executive Director Public Affairs, Ipsos New Zealand, added: “Healthcare continues to steadily increase as an important issue for New Zealanders, no matter their political leaning. It has significantly increased as an issue for those aged over 65 years who are more likely to need healthcare and hospital services.”

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