The three issues that concern New Zealanders the most

By RNZ

Fifty percent of New Zealanders surveyed in the latest Research New Zealand survey have ranked Covid-19 as the most pressing problem in the country, followed by the availability of affordable housing and economic stability.

Research NZ managing partner Emanuel Kalafatelis said the survey aimed to gauge the importance of issues other than the pandemic.

“Covid, unsurprisingly, is our big concern – 50 percent of our respondents identified that as the most significant issue at the moment.”

Seventy-five percent said it was one of the most important issues today.

In second place was the house.

“The availability of affordable housing … was the number two most important issue of this time,” Kalafatelis said.

“And that was followed by economic stability, I suppose it is related to the Covid-19 situation.

“Shortly after that came child poverty … we had about 90 percent, if not more, of our sample identifying those issues as important.”

Following those priorities were crime, a living wage, job security and climate change.

Kalafatelis said 85 percent of women surveyed believed it was important for New Zealand to take action to limit climate change, compared to 75 percent of men.

“There are five things that 50 percent of people are doing: recycling (82 percent), hanging clothes to dry (80 percent), washing clothes in cold water (70 percent), switching to light bulbs. energy efficient (65 percent), reduce organic waste and garbage (58 percent) and buy local products (57 percent). “

– RNZ