10 September 2014
Media release
Horizon Research
Poll finds Cunliffe more impressive in debates so far
While the two main political parties’ leaders prepare for another election campaign debate tonight, a poll finds the
Labour leader has impressed more than National’s leader in debates so far.
Horizon Research says a survey of 2,012 adults nationwide between August 28 and September 8 finds 43.6%, the equivalent
to about 1.394,300 million adults, have seen a debate involving the Labour and National parties’ leaders. 45.8%, or
about 1,464,684 million adults have not seen a debate. 17.1% (529,911) have seen a debate involving minor parties’
leaders.
Asked what impressions they were left with as a result of viewing debating between the Labour and National leaders
46.3% said they were impressed with David Cunliffe (18.2% very impressed, 28.1% impressed)
• 39.3% said they were impressed with John Key (10.6% very impressed, 28.7% impressed)
• 31.5% were not impressed by Mr Cunliffe and
• 39.6% were not impressed by Mr Key.
Among those who voted for National at the 2011 general election, 18.3% were impressed by Mr Cunliffe, 46.9% not
impressed.
Among those who voted Labour in 2011, 10.9% were impressed by Mr Key, 68.6% not impressed.
Viewing the debates resulted in 5.8% saying it had convinced them to change their vote to Labour and 0.6% to change
their vote from Labour. Some 2.3% said the debates had convinced them to change their vote to National and 4.3% to
switch away from National.
Which of the following, if any, have you watched during the 2014 general election campaign?A.A debate involving the leaders of the National and Labour parties.
43.6%B.A debate involving leaders of the minor parties
17.1%C.I have not seen a television debate but have seen or heard one elsewhere
9.1%D.I have not seen or heard a debate
45.8%
What impressions, if any, were you left with as a result of viewing debating between the Labour and National leaders?
David CunliffeA.Very impressed
18.2%B.Impressed
28.1%C.Neutral
22.1%D.Not impressed
21.9%E.Very unimpressed
9.6%
John KeyA.Very impressed
10.6%B.Impressed
28.7%C.Neutral
21.2%D.Not impressed
21.4%E.Very unimpressed
18.2%
The survey had 2,012 respondents overall, 959 of whom had seen the Labour and National leaders in a debate. Respondents
are members of the HorizonPoll online research panel, representing the New Zealand 18+ population at the last census.
Results were weighted by age, gender, personal income, educational level, employment status and party vote at the 2011
general election to provide a representative population sample. At a 95% confidence level, the maximum margin of error
on the overall sample is +/- 2.2% and +/- 3.2% on the 959 who had seen a debate.
ENDS