22 May 11
The economic growth forecasts which underpin this week’s Budget are seen as unrealistic by 49% of New Zealanders.
The first nationwide post-Budget HorizonPoll of 1,154 people, conducted between 11.5am Friday May 20 and 6.30am Saturday May 21 (maximum margin of error at a 95% confidence level of +/- 2.9%) finds:
The Government’s Budget statement forecasts economic growth at 4% next year and that 170,000 new jobs will be created over the next 4 years.
With this growth, combined with proposed expenditure cuts and asset sales, the Government plans to reduce the amount it needs to borrow by $5.6 billion over the next five years and return the budget to surplus in the 2014/2015 financial year.
However, only people who voted National in 2008 are more likely to consider the growth forecast realistic (38.3% realistic, 29.2% neutral and 25.7% unrealistic).
Among voters for the other governing coalition parties in 2008, 51.3% of ACT voters, 77.1% of Maori Party, and 60.2% of United Future voters consider the forecasts unrealistic.
Among business executives and managers, 34.3% say the forecasts are realistic, 32.9% are neutral and 26.5% say unrealistic.
In the finance and insurance industries, 57.8% think the projections are unrealistic (21.8% realistic, 36.3% neutral).
In the retail sector, 58.7% think the forecasts realistic, 13% realistic.
In comments on the projections, many respondents say sufficient evidence for the projections has not been presented and Treasury has made incorrect growth forecasts in the past. Those thinking the forecasts realistic generally cite confidence in Prime Minister John Key.
Overall, 47.2% of people think they are worse off since the last general election, 13.6% better off, and 32.4% no better or worse off while 6.8% don’t know.
The survey continues at www.horizonpoll.co.nz
MAIN RESULTS DETAIL
In its 2011 Budget statement, the Government forecasts economic growth at 4% next year and that 170,000 new jobs will be created over the next 4 years. How realistic do you think these assumptions are? |
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What do you think will be the overall effect of the 2011 Budget on your household spending? |
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As a result of this budget, do you think your household will be: |
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How will the Budget affect New Zealand's long term future? As a result of this Budget, do you think New Zealand will be: |
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Overall, how do you feel about the 2011 Budget? |
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All in all, do you think things in New Zealand are generally headed in the right direction, or do you feel that things are off on the wrong track? |
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Do you generally approve or disapprove of the job the Government is doing in handling the economy? |
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Thinking of the time since the last general election, do you think you are: |
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Kiwis say why they think the forecasts are realistic or unrealistic in 20,000 words.
Budget economic and job growth assumptions results by occupation, sector and party vote 2008 are here.
METHODOLOGY
Horizon Research - Budget 2011 survey
11.45am Friday May 20 – 6.30am May 21, 2011
Respondents = 1154. Weighted by age, gender, ethnicity, region, personal income and party vote 2008 to provide a representative sample of the New Zealand population. The maximum margin of error at a 95% confidence level is +/- 2.9%.
Members of the nationwide HorizonPoll panel are selected and invited to join based on the New Zealand population profile at the 2006 census. Pre-weighted respondents groups may then be invited to respond to surveys, and results further weighted to ensure a representative population sample is achieved.
For further information please contact:
Manager: Grant McInman
Telephone: 021 076 2040
E-mail: gmcinman@horizonresearch.co.nz
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