March 20, 2026

#national: Waatea Poll Reveals Growing Doubt Over Government’s Economic Grip

Matthew Tukaki Posted On March 20, 2026

A new Radio Waatea Question of the Day has delivered a clear message from listeners across Aotearoa – confidence in the Government’s handling of the economy is slipping.

More than 62,000 people engaged with the kōrero across Waatea’s platforms, with the results challenging a commonly held assumption in political discourse. While it is often suggested that centre-right governments are seen as stronger economic managers, Waatea’s audience has pushed back on that narrative.

Just over 58 percent of respondents indicated they do not believe the current Government has the economy under control.

The result comes in the context of a week dominated by economic signals that paint a mixed and, for many households, concerning picture. Official data showed modest growth in the December quarter, as reported by Waatea News, suggesting the economy is technically moving forward – but not at a pace that is being felt in everyday life.

At the same time, rising costs are continuing to bite. Food prices remain elevated, with basic grocery items becoming increasingly unaffordable for many whānau. The pressure is being compounded by sharp increases in fuel prices, driven in part by escalating tensions and conflict involving Iran, which are flowing through to transport and supply chain costs.

There are also growing political calls for intervention, including proposals to suspend fuel taxes as a way to ease immediate cost pressures on households.

Against that backdrop, the tone of public response was both direct and deeply personal.

Many comments reflected the day-to-day reality facing families, particularly when it comes to putting food on the table. For some, the question of economic management is no longer abstract – it is measured in what can or cannot be afforded at the checkout.

Others highlighted a perceived disconnect between different parts of the economy, suggesting that while some sectors may be thriving, ordinary New Zealanders are not seeing the benefits. The idea of “whose economy” is being managed emerged as a recurring theme, with respondents pointing to strong performance in corporate sectors alongside ongoing hardship for average households.

Frustration was especially evident around the cost of fresh food, with fruit and staple items increasingly out of reach for families trying to provide for their tamariki and mokopuna.

Taken together, the responses suggest that while macroeconomic indicators may show stability or modest growth, public confidence is being shaped far more by lived experience – particularly the rising cost of living.

For Waatea’s audience, the verdict is clear: economic management is being judged not by headlines or quarterly data, but by whether whānau can afford the basics.

As global uncertainty continues and domestic pressures mount, that gap between economic performance and public perception may become an increasingly critical challenge for the Government to address.