A new survey suggests New Zealanders are sending a strong message to political parties ahead of the November general election, with 66 percent supporting greater public ownership of essential services and infrastructure.
The survey, commissioned by New Zealanders for a Democratic Economy (NZDE), found significant public support for keeping strategic assets in public hands, including electricity companies, ports and public transport.
Released alongside a campaign by Keep Our Assets, the findings suggest voters are increasingly concerned about who owns the country’s infrastructure, who benefits from it and whether essential services should be run primarily for public benefit or private profit.
According to the survey, two-thirds of respondents supported the Government owning more of New Zealand’s essential services and infrastructure.
By comparison, just 31 percent agreed that the Government should be willing to sell public assets to reduce debt.
The findings come as political parties prepare for the 7 November election, with asset ownership, infrastructure investment and the cost of living emerging as important questions for the next government.
The organisations behind the survey say respondents identified fairness, accountability, affordability and public influence over essential services as key reasons for supporting public ownership.
The survey also found opposition to selling a range of existing public assets, including Department of Conservation land, Kiwibank, New Zealand Post and the Interislander ferries.
Beyond asset ownership, the research points to broader concerns about the influence of wealthy individuals, corporations and overseas investors on government decision-making.
Some 85 percent of respondents believed large businesses and corporations had a great deal or a fair amount of influence over government decisions, while 80 percent held the same view about wealthy individuals.
Almost three-quarters, or 73 percent, believed overseas investors and companies had significant influence over government decisions.
The same proportion expressed concern about large donations to political parties, including 34 percent who said they were very concerned.
Meanwhile, more than three-fifths believed ordinary working people had little or no influence over government decisions.
The findings have prompted a coalition of organisations to call on political parties to sign a National Keep Our Assets Pledge.
The campaign includes the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, Keep Our Assets, 350 Aotearoa, ActionStation and New Zealanders for a Democratic Economy.
The pledge calls on political parties to commit to retaining full public ownership and control of the Government’s existing portfolio of public assets and to rule out coalition agreements that would enable asset sales during the next parliamentary term.
According to the survey, 44 percent of respondents said they would be more likely to vote for a party signing the pledge, compared with 19 percent who said they would be less likely to support it.
Another 27 percent said signing the pledge would make no difference to their vote.
For Māori, the debate raises important questions about the future of public infrastructure, access to essential services and the protection of assets that serve communities across Aotearoa.
Public ownership can also intersect with issues of whenua, environmental protection, Māori participation in decision-making and the Crown’s responsibilities under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
However, public ownership does not automatically guarantee Māori authority or participation, and Māori ownership models, iwi investment and co-governance arrangements raise distinct considerations.
Those questions are particularly relevant where decisions about land, water, energy and transport infrastructure affect iwi, hapū and whānau.
Supporters of public ownership argue that essential services should prioritise affordability, accessibility and long-term national interests rather than shareholder returns.
Advocates of private investment and asset sales, meanwhile, argue that private capital can help fund infrastructure development, improve efficiency and reduce pressure on government finances.
The central issue for voters is whether public, private or mixed ownership arrangements will deliver the best outcomes for communities while ensuring appropriate accountability and investment.
The survey was commissioned by organisations advocating for greater public ownership, and the accompanying release does not provide sufficient methodological detail to independently assess the sample size, fieldwork or margin of error.
Nevertheless, the reported findings add another dimension to the election campaign, particularly as households continue to grapple with rising costs and concerns about the affordability of essential services.
With less than a month until election day, political parties are being challenged to make their positions on public asset ownership clear.
And for Māori voters, the question extends beyond whether public assets should be sold or retained.
It is also about who controls the resources and infrastructure that communities depend on, whose interests are protected and whether future generations will inherit assets that continue to serve the public good.
#Election2026 #PublicAssets #KeepOurAssets #PublicOwnership #AssetSales #Privatisation #NZPolitics #NZDE #NewZealandersForADemocraticEconomy #CostOfLiving #Infrastructure #Electricity #PublicTransport #Kiwibank #NZPost #Interislander #DOC #CorporateInfluence #PoliticalDonations #MaoriEconomy #MaoriWhanau #TeTiritiOWaitangi #TinoRangatiratanga #WhenuaMaori #IwiDevelopment #Aotearoa #RadioWaatea #WaateaNews
