Concern about petrol and fuel prices has surged to become the third-biggest issue facing New Zealanders ahead of the election, according to the latest Ipsos Issues Monitor.
The October survey of 1008 people found 31% identified petrol prices and fuel as a leading concern, up 14 percentage points since September.
The issue climbed from seventh to third place and reached its highest level since the monitor began in 2018.
Ipsos New Zealand executive director public affairs Amanda Dudding says the increase follows fuel prices climbing to near-record levels.
“The result highlights how sensitive New Zealanders remain to increases in everyday household costs and reinforces the importance of cost-of-living pressures in shaping voter sentiment ahead of the election,” Dudding says.
Cost of living remains leading issue
Inflation and the cost of living remained the country’s biggest concern, identified by 64% of respondents.
Healthcare and hospitals ranked second at 45%, reaching their highest level since the survey began.
Concern about the economy fell four percentage points to 30%, moving from third to fourth place.
Unemployment remained fifth at 19%, followed by housing and house prices at 18%.
Concern about crime and law and order stood at 14%, down 13 percentage points from October 2024.
