Hold on to your hat: The 2026 election is going to be close

The “don’t know” category for who is best able to handle each of the top five issues has risen. Voters are looking for something different. (Image: Getty)

Cameron Bagrie

Tue, 02 Sep 2025

“Voters losing faith in Government on key issues” was the headline, with the Government assessed as best able to handle three of the top 20 issues according to the August 2025 Ipsos Issues Monitor. The August results are a mirror image of the May survey, which I wrote about in June, when the Government scored three out of 20. Therefore, at face value, there is little new news in the latest results. However, to put three out of 20 in perspective, the National Party was assessed as being best able to handle eight o...

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Policy

University reforms focus on economic impact

The Government is set to reject recommendations for a new oversight agency.

Greg Hurrell 5:00am

Infrastructure

Analysts upbeat on POT, watching and waiting on Stella

The result beat guidance.

Rebecca Howard 5:00am

Analysts upbeat on POT, watching and waiting on Stella

Primary Sector

Snapping up Miraka gives Open Country Dairy further scale

Miraka had long been subject to industry speculation.

Riley Kennedy 5:00am

Snapping up Miraka gives Open Country Dairy further scale

Sponsored

Bold Steps: reshaping women’s leadership in Aotearoa

Dame Therese Walsh and Dame Joan Withers reflect on the summit’s unlikely beginnings – and how it has evolved into a platform for ambition and impact today.

OnBeingBold

Sponsored