Fuel Price Spike Widen Labour Lead
Ipsos data shows the opposition widening its advantage on cost of living and fuel prices in the final week before the election.
By Giulia Donovan ·
Labour has widened its lead over National on all of the top five voter concerns, according to a new Ipsos poll released on Saturday. The survey, conducted in the final week before election day, places additional pressure on the governing party as it navigates internal disputes with coalition partners over vote splitting.
Cost of living and inflation remain the primary issues for New Zealanders, with 64% of respondents ranking them in their top three. This figure marks a one-point increase from September and represents a new high for the metric. Labour’s perceived ability to manage inflation rose seven points to 38%, while National’s rating climbed three points to 24%.
Fuel prices surged in the rankings, jumping from seventh to third place. Concern over this issue rose 14 points to 31%. Labour gained six points in this category, reaching 35%, while National’s support dropped two points to 20%. Healthcare also saw a rise, with 45% of voters citing it as a top concern. Labour’s standing on healthcare improved by four points to 42%, outpacing National, which held steady at 21%.
The economy and unemployment rounded out the top five concerns. Economic worries fell four points to 30%, yet Labour still gained four points to 34%. Unemployment concerns dropped two points to 19%, but Labour recovered ground in this area, rising four points to 38%. National remained unchanged at 21%.
Law and order stands as the only issue in the top twenty where National retains the highest rating. However, the gap has narrowed to one percentage point following a three-point gain for Labour, which now sits at 28% against National’s 29%. Carin Hercock, manager at Ipsos New Zealand, noted that the data was collected during heavy media coverage of politicians meeting with gang members. She stated that voters are sending a clear message about what matters most to them.
Housing, poverty, and climate change completed the top ten list. Housing concerns fell one point to 18%, though Labour gained four points to 35%. Poverty and inequality dropped one point to 16%, while climate change and education both fell one point to 12% and 8% respectively. The study surveyed 1008 New Zealanders aged 18 and older between October 19 and 27, with a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.
