23 May 2008

ShapeNZ Budget 2008 Survey Report

Interim result

This ShapeNZ survey was undertaken between 4.15pm Thursday May 22 and 11am Friday May 23, 2008.

The 2523 respondents are weighted by age, gender, income, employment status, ethnicity and party vote 2005 to provide a nationally representative sample. The maximum margin of error is +/- 2% on the national sample.

Further results, on questions relating to future tax cuts, the caveats New Zealanders place on them and the Budget’s potential impact on swinging voters will be issued in a second interim report on May 24, 2008

Respondents were with information on policy and spending relating to tax, health, education, superannuation.

Does the size of your personal tax cut, or family tax credit increase, if any, leave you satisfied or dissatisfied?

A. Satisfied
22%
B. Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied
39%
C. Dissatisfied
36%
D. Don't know
3%

Do you agree or disagree with the cuts in personal tax being made between October 2008 and April 1 2011 by the Government?

A. Agree strongly
7%
B. Agree
40%
C. Disagree
30%
D. Disagree strongly
13%
E. Don't know
10%

National superannuation benefit increases

The Budget increases the national superannuation benefit for a married couple by $45.88 per fortnight from October 1 2008. A single national superannuitant living alone person will receive an extra $23.84 per week, from October 1 2008.

Do you believe these increases in superannuation benefits are

A. Too generous
3%
B. About right
44%
C. Not generous enough
48%
D. Don't know
6%

Health spending

Do you agree or disagree with the health spending and policies provided for in the Budget?

A. Agree strongly
16%
B. Agree
61%
C. Disagree
10%
D. Disagree strongly
2%
E. Don't know
11%

Education spending

Generally, do you agree or disagree with the education spending and policies provided for in the Budget?

A. Agree strongly
18%
B. Agree
65%
C. Disagree
11%
D. Disagree strongly
2%
E. Don't know
5%

The Budget Overall

Thinking about the tax cuts in the Budget, do you agree or disagree that they have been made at the expense of other spending in social areas (like benefits, education and health)?

A. Agree
27%
B. Disagree
52%
C. Don't know
21%

Thinking of the Budget's impact on mortgage and other interest rates, do you believe it will result in...

A. An increase in interest rates
30%
B. No change
44%
C. A decrease in interest rates
6%
D. Don't know
20%

Thinking of the Budget's impact on employment, do you believe it will result in...

A. An increase in employment
13%
B. No change
57%
C. A decrease in employment
16%
D. Don't know
13%

Thinking of the Budget overall, how do you think it will affect your household?

A. Much better off
2%
B. Better off
23%
C. The same
57%
D. Worse off
12%
E. Much worse off
2%
F. Don't know
4%

How will the Budget affect New Zealand's long term future? As a result of this Budget, do you think New Zealand will be....

A. Much better off
2%
B. Better off
19%
C. The same
45%
D. Worse off
21%
E. Much worse off
2%
F. Don't know
11%

ShapeNZ methodology

This question and answer report prepared by Tasman Research and Consultation Limited outlines how the Business Council's ShapeNZ online research panel is recruited and its methodology.

The Business Council runs the national online survey panel, ShapeNZ, to allow public input on major issues. The panel is primarily built from purchased lists and weighted results are representative of the population as a whole, compared with the 2006 census. At 8 April 2008 the panel had 9001 members. At 22 May 2008 is had 13568 members. ShapeNZ members register and provide demographic and previous party vote information to ensure results can be accurately weighted to reflect the New Zealand population. Registration is also available at www.shapenz.org.nz.

This research may be used and published with the prior approval the Business Council.

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