64% support COVID-19 mandates policy

New Zealanders have strongly held views about the current protest at Parliament – and policies which mandate vaccination for some occupations and places.

The Government’s vaccine mandate policy has 64% support, according to a snap poll conducted by Horizon Research between 3.30pm February 16 and noon February 17, 2022.

28% oppose the mandates policy, which mean only those who have had at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine can work in some occupations and workplaces - and go to certain places (like restaurants, bars and events).

However, in an indication of the strength of  New Zealanders’ views, just 1% say they don’t have an opinion, while 7% say they are neither for nor against.

Protest opposition:

61% of adults oppose the protest at Parliament at which various groups are seeking an end to mandates.

30% support the protests, while 9% are neutral or don’t know.

Strength of view varying by age:

Support and opposition to both the mandate policy and the protest vary by age.

Support for mandates peaks at 79% among those aged 75 or older and 74% among 55 to 64 year-olds.

Opposition to mandates is highest among those aged 34-44 years (43%). Of this age group 53% support mandates.

Opposition to the protest peaks at 81% among those aged 75 or older, compared with 51% opposition (and 44% support) among those aged 35-44 years.

Commentary

Stuff news coverage of the poll result, including some commentary, is here.

Surveying detail:

The survey was of members of Horizon’s specialist HorizonPoll online panel.

There were 520 respondents aged 18+. Results are weighted by age, gender, personal income, educational level, ethnicity and party voted for at the 2020 general election. This provides a representative sample of the adult population at the 2018 census.

At a 95% confidence level the maximum margin or error is +/- 4.5%.

The survey was self-commissioned by Horizon as part of its programme of research conducted in the public interest.

Information provided and questions asked:

Respondents were provided with the following information before being asked two questions:

There is a protest at Parliament at which various groups are seeking an end to mandates.

The mandates mean only those who have had at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine can work in some occupations and workplaces - and go to certain places (like restaurants, bars and events).

These mandates aim to restrict the spread of COVID-19 infection in the community.

Those opposing the policy say it restricts their freedom and penalises those who decide not to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

The protesters have occupied Parliament grounds and their vehicles have blocked several streets near Parliament. Smaller protests are occurring outside Wellington.

Do you support or oppose this protest at Parliament?

Do you support or oppose the policy to require those working in some occupations, and those attending certain places and events to have had two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine?

Contact:

Graeme Colman, Principal, Horizon Research Limited

Email gcolman@horizonresearch.co.nz, telephone +64 21 848 576.