A new nationwide poll has found significant concern about the cost of living and its effect not only on personal budgets but also the effect on other families in the community. More than half of New Zealanders are very concerned about the cost of living on the country as a whole.

In the poll of 1,200 New Zealanders surveyed this month by Curia Market Research, respondents were asked: “To what extent are you concerned about the cost of living over the next six months for the country as a whole, but also at a personal and at a local level?”

88% are very or fairly concerned about cost of living impacting the country as a whole, 67% about impacting them personally, and 74% about impacting people in their local communities.

Females were more likely than males to be “very concerned”. The 18-39 year olds were more likely to be very concerned about the cost of living on them personally. Interestingly, the concern was similar irrespective of deprivation level.

Labour voters were the least concerned in comparison with voters of the other major parties (National, ACT, Greens) about the cost of living on the country and on them personally, but were slightly more concerned about the effect on people in their local area.

Family First is calling on the introduction of price freezes on fuel and food to help combat the cost of living. Several European countries have capped prices for basic food groups such as sugar, flour, sunflower oil milk and some meats, as well as an interest rate freeze on mortgages and utilities.

The nationwide poll was carried out between June 1 and June 12, and has a margin of error of +/- 2.8%.

READ THE FULL POLL RESULTS

© Scoop Media