Labour now more trusted to solve the big issues, new survey shows

Monday, 17 November 2025

Labour is now the most trusted party to respond to eight of the 10 most important issues to voters, according to the latest Ipsos Issues Monitor survey.

The results will come as a major blow to the coalition Government, which is almost entirely absent when it comes to the survey.

For the 20 most pressing issues for Kiwi voters, NZ First and ACT were not deemed the most capable parties to manage any of those issues. National was only deemed the most capable manager for two issues - the same result as the Green Party.

Inflation and the cost of living remained the most pressing issue for New Zealanders, the survey found. That was the same issue that propelled the National Party to power in 2023, after this survey showed a complete opposite result. Back then, when Labour was heading towards defeat, National had won the public’s trust for 15 of these 20 top issues.

This quarter, however, Labour was deemed more reliable for 15 of the top 20 issues facing New Zealand.

The latest survey highlighted a new low in public perception of the Government’s performance, with the rating falling to 3.9 out of 10 – the lowest since tracking began in 2018.

But Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Monday afternoon dismissed the survey, repeating his position that he does not comment on polls.

“I’m not worried about polls, good or bad,” he told reporters, pointing instead to what he said was a troubling economic situation that his Government inherited. “I am very much focused on waking up each day and going to work and getting this job done. It’s why I came to politics four or five years ago.”

Ipsos released the 30th edition of its quarterly Ipsos Issues Monitor Survey on Monday, which asked 1000 New Zealanders what issues mattered most to them - and which political parties were best equipped to manage them.

What Kiwis are worried about

The cost of living remained the most pressing issue, identified by 61% of respondents. Healthcare ranked second at 42%, followed by the economy at 32%.

Concerns about unemployment have seen a sharp increase, especially among those under 35, with 32% in this group identifying it as a key issue – making it their second-highest concern. Overall, unemployment tied for fifth place with crime/law and order and poverty/inequality (all at 19%).

Housing concerns, while still within the top five at 22%, dropped significantly in the rankings.

The monitor also revealed that older New Zealanders were more concerned about crime, with 27% of those aged 65 and over listing it among their top issues – making it the fourth most important issue for this demographic. For those aged 65+, inflation still ranked highly but dropped to second place.

In a comparison with Australia, both countries list inflation/cost of living as the top concern, but New Zealanders are more focused on healthcare and the economy, while Australians show greater concern for housing and crime.

“New Zealanders are still feeling the impact of high cost of living, and with concerns about unemployment now moving to a top five issue, the second highest issue for those aged under 35 years, it is hard to see consumer confidence rebounding soon,” said Carin Hercock, Country Manager, Ipsos New Zealand.

Amanda Dudding, Executive Director Public Affairs, Ipsos New Zealand, said: “While concerns around healthcare have reduced slightly, it still remains the leading issue for over 65-year-olds and the government does not appear to be benefiting from this improvement with performance ratings hitting a new low.”