FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday 26 May 2009

Who can you trust?

A narrow majority of New Zealanders say most people can be trusted with those on higher incomes saying they are more trusting of others generally and Maori and Pacific Island people less trusting.

These findings are from UMR Research’s latest survey of public opinion among those aged 18 years and over . People were asked the question:

Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted or that you cannot be too careful in dealing with people?

The results show that 56% of people say ‘most people can be trusted’ though a large minority (39%) say ‘you cannot be too careful in dealing with people’.

“These results swing around when you look at them by ethnicity. Most Maori and Pacific Island people (54%) said you cannot be too careful in dealing with people and only 41% said most people can be trusted,” said a UMR Director Tim Grafton.

“There’s also a difference by income and occupation. For instance, 69% of those earning more than $50,000 a year said most people can be trusted, but only a minority of blue collar workers (45%) and 52% of those earning less than $30,000 a year said that,” he said.

For further Information:

Tim Grafton 027-270-9084 or 04-473-1064

WHO CAN YOU TRUST?

Generally speaking, would you say that most people can be trusted, OR, that you can not be too careful in dealing with people?

Most can be Can not be too
Base trusted careful Unsure Depends

ALL 750 56% 39% 2% 3%

AREA
Auckland 241 53% 42% 3% 2%
Christchurch 82 57% 42% 0% 1%
Wellington 77 62% 34% 2% 2%

Provincial 350 57% 37% 3% 3%
Rural 147 52% 42% 2% 4%
North Island 568 55% 39% 3% 3%
South Island 182 60% 37% 1% 2%

GENDER
Male 359 57% 38% 2% 3%
Female 391 56% 39% 3% 2%

AGE GROUP
Under 30 157 51% 45% 3% 1%
30-44 225 58% 39% 1% 2%
45-59 196 61% 33% 3% 3%
60 Plus 172 53% 40% 3% 4%

OCCUPATION
Professionals, 193 69% 26% 3% 2%
Managers
Technicians, 58 63% 31% 1% 5%
Associates
Clerks & Sales 112 59% 39% 1% 1%
Blue collar 121 45% 52% 0% 3%
Students 51 55% 43% 2% 0%
Retired 110 50% 41% 3% 6%
Homemaker 59 50% 47% 3% 0%

PERSONAL INCOME
Less than $30k 274 52% 43% 3% 2%
$30k to $50k 168 52% 44% 2% 2%
More than $50k 212 69% 27% 2% 2%

ETHNICITY
Maori & PI 115 41% 54% 5% 0%
Non Maori/Non PI 635 59% 36% 2% 3%

HOUSEHOLD TYPE
Have dependent 296 54% 43% 1% 2%
children
No dependent 454 58% 36% 3% 3%
children
One adult household 156 50% 42% 4% 4%
Two adult household 471 59% 37% 2% 2%
Three or more adults 119 54% 44% 1% 1%
Renting home 191 51% 46% 2% 1%
Own home 509 58% 36% 3% 3%

MARITAL STATUS
Married/ Civil Union 412 58% 36% 3% 3%
Defacto 72 52% 45% 3% 0%
Single/ Never married 136 54% 43% 2% 1%
Divorced/Widow 125 52% 41%

ends 2% 5%