Rubbish Polling Practice by NZ Herald
RUBBISH POLLING PRACTICE BY NZ HERALD
On Friday, the New Zealand Herald started running a poll asking people to choose who they would like to be the next Mayor of Auckland on their website. Affordable Auckland candidate Stephen Berry is incredulous at the practises they have employed in doing so. “When I participated in the poll on Sunday, the only option available there for me to choose was none of the above.”
The original poll excluded three confirmed candidates; Stephen Berry, Mark Thomas and Penny Bright. “As a result, the ‘none of the above’ option was tied for second place with John Banks at 11%. Now, without restarting the poll the Herald has removed the votes cast for ‘none of the above’ and included the three previously missing candidates.”
“As a result, after 1600 votes being cast and participation slowing in the poll I am on 0% due to this manipulation. I’m calling on the NZ Herald to do the right thing, end the current poll and start a new one so all candidates have a genuine opportunity to have their support reflected accurately in the poll.”
Stephen Berry recently placed 2nd in an NBR website poll asking site visitors to choose which centre-right candidate they would prefer. Mr. Berry attracted 18% support ahead of “the only other serious candidate” Mark Thomas on 12%.
ENDS