Source: WEAll Aotearoa New Zealand
Two Talbot Mills polls have revealed New Zealanders overwhelmingly want politicians to think long-term with future generations in mind; our economic system to change; and for the ultra rich to be taxed more to fund public goods like healthcare, housing and climate action.
The two polls were commissioned by the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa.
The first poll, conducted from the 9th to the 20th of October 2025, asked:
How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following:
- Major political parties, from across the spectrum, should work together to find long-term solutions to major challenges that affect our future wellbeing, such as climate change, healthcare, and poverty reduction. 84% total agree. 3% total disagree.
- We should have a national conversation about our values and long-term goals, in order for our major political parties to build consensus on the big issues facing our country. 78% total agree. 3% total disagree.
- The interests of future generations should be a priority when making decisions on important policies in the present day. 78% total agree. 4% total disagree.
- Political decisions in New Zealand are often characterised by short-term measures instead of creating sustainable solutions for the future in the next 10-20 years. 76% total agree.
- It is frustrating how the major political parties constantly change positions on important national issues. 75% total agree. 5% total disagree.
- Children born today will be financially worse off than their parents. 61% total agree. 9% total disagree.
The second poll, commissioned from the 11th to the 26th of February 2026, asked:
How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following:
- The economic system in New Zealand is not set up to effectively address the big issues like housing, healthcare, and climate change. 66% total agree. 10% total disagree.
- No one should be a billionaire while so many people struggle to afford basic necessities like housing, food, and healthcare. 50% total agree, 24% total disagree.
How strongly do you support or oppose the following in NZ:
- Billionaires paying more tax to fund public goods like healthcare, housing, and climate action. 68% total agree. 13% total disagree.
- Introducing a billion dollar wealth cap – a maximum amount of wealth any person can legally hold. 37% total agree. 34% total disagree.
Gareth Hughes, Director of Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa, says, “Every day here in New Zealand we can feel the impacts of an economy that isn’t serving us and that is evidenced in these polls.
“There is an overwhelming view that politicians need to stop making decisions around election cycles and instead take a longer term view, so that our kids and their grandkids can prosper on a healthy planet.
“New Zealanders can see and feel inequality rising above them, whilst more wealth is siphoned to the very wealthy. As an election draws near, politicians of all stripes must take a good look at how we can reorient our economy so that wealth doesn’t accumulate at the top whilst everyone else falls further behind.
“We are at a crossroads, and New Zealanders have shown in this poll the path they want to take. We must zoom out, rethink our economy so we can start addressing the huge crises facing us: that of housing inequality, crumbling infrastructure, and climate change”.
