New Zealanders have fairly high confidence in the public service
Trust in parliament is in the top half of high trusting countries
Confidence in the national government remained high and stable over time
Trust levels have increased over time in New Zealand up to the pandemic
New Zealand’s excess mortality decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic
From end of 2020 on New Zealand’s COVID-19 policies were less restrictive than in other countries
Positive changes in levels of institutional trust associated with the COVID-19 response
Levels of trust in Auckland were similar to the rest of the country during COVID-19
Trust in the police and courts and legal system are the highest among respondents in New Zealand
Trust in public service is higher than in the local government and parliament in New Zealand
The highest confidence in government institutions is to protect citizens
Experience with government agencies is the most important reason to influence trust in institutions
Important reasons to influence trust, by age, education and ethnicity
Trust in others in New Zealand is close to the OECD average
There are differences in interpersonal trust across population groups in New Zealand
Trust in the Public Service is lower among people with lower income and lower education
People with high level of education, older respondents and male report higher trust in public institutions
Trust in institutions is lower among people with perceived socioeconomic vulnerabilities and low self-reported income
People that have worked in the public sector have higher trust in the Public Service
Trust in Public Service is higher among migrants and those that have lived outside of New Zealand
Cultural diversity and interpersonal trust are negatively associated, 2013
Multifactor productivity is moderate in New Zealand
Of total merchandise exports in New Zealand, a large majority are primary products and agricultural products
Income Inequality in New Zealand has been increasing
House prices-to-income ratios have increased more than in other countries over the last year
Figure 2.18 Service responsiveness has the highest explanatory power for trust in the public service
Political efficacy and reliability are key determinants of trust in the parliament
Openness and fairness are also key determinants of trust in the local government councillors
51% of New Zealanders consider government institutions to be competent
Women, Māori and Pacifica, those with lower incomes and those with less formal education are less likely to consider government institutions to be competent
People in urban areas are more likely to consider government institutions to be competent
Most respondents have confidence in government institutions to deliver good quality public services
Māori and Pacifica, women and people with less education or lower income have less confidence in government to deliver good quality public services
Most respondents are satisfied with public services in New Zealand, but satisfaction with the education and healthcare systems is lower than in many comparable countries
New Zealand’s average PISA score have declined, and Māori and Pacifica students score far below national averages
Only 43% of people feel that government will improve a service when people complain
Māori, Pacifica, Women, young people and those with financial concerns or less years of education are less satisfied with public services.
New Zealand delivers almost all public spending through central government
43% believe the government will adopt innovative ideas to improve public services
Most New Zealanders have confidence in government institutions to protect citizens
But young people, those with less education and Māori and Pacifica have less confidence
Most New Zealanders have confidence in government institutions to consider the interests of future generations
But young people, those with less education and Māori and Pacifica have less confidence: Share of respondents in New Zealand, 2021
Most New Zealanders are confident in their government’s readiness to protect people from new contagious diseases
Around half of New Zealanders believe government institutions can support stable business conditions
House prices have grown rapidly, creating financial pressures on households
Many households on lower incomes were overburdened by housing costs
First-time buyers have increasingly taken on high-risk mortgages
Countries that are seen as more competent in the fight against climate change also benefit from higher levels of trust in government
A majority of respondents are not confident that New Zealand will succeed in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the next 10 years
New Zealanders are satisfied with transparency of information, but a minority is confident in opportunities to voice and engage
A majority of New Zealanders report knowing how the government works
Younger people, those with lower education and income are less likely to believe that information is easily available
About one-third of New Zealanders trust the news media
Political participation in New Zealand
The most vulnerable feel that they do not have a say in what government does
The most vulnerable respondents are those more sceptical about opportunities to voice their views
Less than half are confident that government institutions listen to citizens
New Zealanders with higher education, top 25% income and Asian population groups are more likely to believe that the government adopts opinions from public consultations
About half of New Zealanders believe that power and resources will be used ethically
Less than half of the population expect courts to take decisions free from undue influence
A third of New Zealanders believe that a public employee would refuse a bribe
Vulnerable groups perceive integrity of political courts negatively
Respondents with relationships in the public sector have positive views on integrity
A majority expects to be treated fairly
Perceived likelihood that application for government services or benefits would be treated fairly is lower among the young, women, Māori and Pacific communities
Experience of discrimination is higher among women, people aged 25-34 and unemployed people
Half of the respondents believe in equal treatment of public employees
Even fewer people believe in equal treatment regardless of socioeconomic status
Representation of ethnic groups in the public service varies
Around half of New Zealanders are confident that government institutions will improve socio-economic conditions for all
Trust in the local government
Trust in the police
Trust in courts and legal system
Trust in international organizations
Government institutions act according to the best interest of society