Aucklanders more concerned than the rest of New Zealand
The housing crisis remains a concern across New Zealand, with three in five (60%) Kiwis considering housing a top issue in February – more than twice as much as any other issue, and the highest level since Ipsos New Zealand began its survey in February 2018.
The Ipsos New Zealand Issues Monitor asked 1,000 Kiwis to select the three most important issues facing the country out of a list of 20. They also shared their views on political parties’ ability to best manage these issues.
According to the survey, the top issue facing New Zealand in February 2021 is housing or house prices, followed by poverty or inequality, and inflation or cost of living. In November 2020, concerns about housing and house prices hit the highest level since Ipsos began its survey (53%). February 2021 saw a further increase in these concerns, hitting a new record high at 60%.
At a regional level, 67% of Aucklanders considered housing and house prices a top issue, compared to 57% of people living outside of Auckland. Meanwhile, two in five (42%) Kiwis considered Labour the party most capable of managing the issue.
Amanda Dudding, the research director for public affairs at Ipsos New Zealand, commented: “We can all see that housing is a top issue in the media, and this survey confirms that it worries many New Zealanders as well. While it decreased in importance during and straight after our New Zealand lockdown, it’s back and bigger than ever. The comments from New Zealanders around how to solve the issue vary widely from increasing supply to capping rent, managing the interest rates, and introducing a capital gains tax.”
Ipsos New Zealand managing director Carin Hercock added: “The fact that issues around housing and housing affordability are now higher than New Zealanders fears around our economy in May last year, when the country was facing down the unknown impacts of a global pandemic, is of significant concern.”
