20th Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor

Wellington, 8 June 2023 – The latest Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor finds that crime / law & order has risen significantly in prominence as an issue, with 40% of New Zealanders identifying it as a key concern – its highest level since tracking began in February 2018.

Inflation / cost of living remains the number one concern. Despite a small drop (for the first time since September 2020), nearly 2 in 3 New Zealanders identified it as a key issue they are currently facing. Following a significant increase in February, after Cyclone Gabrielle, to its highest point since tracking began, concern for climate change has significantly decreased; however, the issue remains in the top-5.

Carin Hercock, Managing Director, Ipsos New Zealand, said: “Crime, Law and Order has rapidly become a significant issue for New Zealanders over the last 12-months, reaching the top two spot for the first time we have recorded, interestingly Ipsos is seeing concerns about Crime increase globally making it the third highest issue across all countries we monitor. Crime is a complex issue and many countries have seen a spike often attributed to post Covid truancy and inflation related poverty levels. In New Zealand it appears to be an issue that is particularly concerning for older New Zealanders with retirees more than twice as likely to be concern about Crime than those aged under 35 years.”

Amanda Dudding, Research Director, Public Affairs, Ipsos New Zealand, added: “The perceived performance of the Labour Party has decreased fairly steadily over time since they were re-elected in 2020, during their initial COVID response high. National is currently perceived to be the party most capable of managing the three issues that most concern New Zealanders. As we head into the elections, New Zealanders are going to be looking at how what the parties have to offer in the areas of the cost of living crisis, rising crime rates and New Zealand's long term housing issues.”