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Public finance

New Zealanders Overwhelmingly Support Increased Spending on Public Services

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A recent poll commissioned by the Better Taxes for a Better Future campaign reveals that a vast majority of New Zealanders support increased spending on key public services, despite the government's plans to cut public services. The poll found that 83% of respondents supported increases in public spending, with even 62% of ACT supporters endorsing an increase. This support is consistent across the political spectrum, with a majority of National Party supporters also favouring increased spending on public services.

Key Takeaways:

  • 83% of respondents supported increases in public spending on services such as hospitals, schools, and the police.
  • Even 62% of ACT supporters endorsed an increase in public spending, indicating broad-based support across the political spectrum.
  • The majority (57%) of respondents supported wealthier New Zealanders paying more tax than they do at present.
  • The poll also found that a majority of National Party supporters favour increasing tax on the wealthy.
  • The IR report into High Net Worth Individuals in 2023 demonstrated that the wealthiest 310 families in New Zealand had an effective tax rate of 9.4% compared to over 20% for the average New Zealander.
  • The responses to these two questions send a clear message that New Zealanders don't want to see cuts to essential public services, and the government needs to be looking at other ways to generate revenue.

Statistics:

  • 83% of respondents supported increased spending on public services.
  • 62% of ACT supporters endorsed an increase in public spending.
  • 57% of respondents supported wealthier New Zealanders paying more tax than they do at present.
  • Effective tax rate for the wealthiest 310 families in New Zealand: 9.4%.
  • Effective tax rate for the average New Zealander: over 20%.

Sources:

  • Talbot Mills Research poll commissioned by the Better Taxes for a Better Future campaign.
  • IR report into High Net Worth Individuals in 2023.
  • Glenn Barclay, spokesperson for the Better Taxes campaign.

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