With fewer than 100 days until New Zealanders head to the polls, a new survey suggests Labour has gained a significant advantage on the issues voters care about most, raising fresh questions about whether the governing coalition can regain public confidence before election day.
The latest Ipsos Issues Monitor has found Labour is now regarded as the political party most capable of managing all five of New Zealanders’ top concerns—the cost of living, healthcare, the economy, housing and unemployment. The findings represent a notable shift in public perception as the election campaign enters its most critical phase.
The quarterly survey asks New Zealanders to identify the country’s most pressing issues and which political party they believe is best equipped to address them.
Despite easing inflation compared with previous years, the cost of living remains the number one issue for New Zealanders across almost every demographic group surveyed.
Healthcare continues to rank as the second most significant concern, while the economy, housing affordability and unemployment complete the top five priorities.
Among New Zealanders aged 65 and over, healthcare overtakes the cost of living as the single biggest concern, reflecting growing pressure on the country’s health system and ageing population.
Perhaps the most politically significant finding is Labour’s lead on all five of those major concerns.
According to the Ipsos survey, voters now believe Labour is better placed than National to manage inflation and the cost of living, healthcare, economic management, housing and unemployment.
The results will provide encouragement for Opposition Leader Chris Hipkins, whose party has increasingly focused its campaign on household affordability, public services and health investment.
For the Government, the findings present another challenge after months of attempting to reposition itself as the party of economic growth and fiscal discipline.
The survey arrives during a politically difficult period for the National-led coalition.
Recent weeks have seen heated debate over changes to employment law, workplace rights, public service reform and coalition tensions following controversy surrounding Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters’ comments directed at Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan.
The Government has continued to argue that its programme is focused on rebuilding the economy, reducing inflation and encouraging investment.
However, Ipsos suggests many voters remain unconvinced that those policies are translating into improvements in the issues affecting their everyday lives.
Although inflation has eased from its peak, many households continue to report ongoing pressure from food prices, mortgage repayments, rent and household expenses.
Housing affordability also remains among the country’s biggest concerns despite slowing house prices in some regions.
Healthcare continues to dominate public discussion as hospitals face workforce shortages, long waiting lists and increasing demand for services.
Unemployment has also climbed higher on voters’ list of priorities as economic growth slows and businesses remain cautious about hiring.
The Ipsos findings reinforce that the election is increasingly becoming a contest over economic management and living standards rather than ideology alone.
Labour has centred much of its campaign around reducing inequality, strengthening public services and supporting working families.
National continues to argue its economic programme will deliver long-term growth through investment, infrastructure and reducing regulatory burdens.
Smaller parties are also seeking to shape debate around issues including employment rights, taxation, housing, climate policy and Māori aspirations.
With fewer than 100 days remaining until polling day, the survey provides one of the clearest indications yet of where voters believe the biggest challenges lie—and which party they currently trust to address them.
Whether that perception translates into votes on election day will become one of the defining questions of the 2026 General Election campaign.
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