A poll commissioned by the Better Taxes for a Better Future campaign has found most New Zealanders want increased spending on public services. Photo: Unsplash / RNZ composite
A new poll has found an overwhelming majority of New Zealanders across the political spectrum want increased spending on public services.
The poll carried out by Talbot Mills Research for the Better Taxes for a Better Future campaign surveyed 1252 adults around the country earlier this month.
More than three-quarters (83 percent) said government spending on key public services, such as hospitals, schools and the police, should increase a lot (48 percent) or a bit (35 percent). Eleven percent said it should stay the same, and three percent said it should decrease.
Support for the increase was widespread, regardless of which political party respondents supported, although it was lowest among Te Pāti Māori and ACT voters. Women and older respondents were more likely to prefer an increase.
More than half (57 percent) thought wealthier New Zealanders (those with an income greater than $180,000 per year and/or $5 million of assets) should pay more tax, 27 percent thought they paid the right amount and 7 percent thought they should pay less.
Women, older respondents, and supporters of parties on the left were more likely to think wealthier people should pay more tax.
"This poll shows that there is widespread support for greater investment in our public services to meet the needs of New Zealanders, such as in healthcare, and education," said Glenn Barclay, spokesperson for the Better Taxes campaign.
"New Zealanders don't want to see cuts to essential public services, and the government needs to be looking at other ways to generate the revenue we need to provide services that will enable all New Zealanders to succeed," he said.
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