Support down, concerns rise over impact of fast-track bill

More people have heard of the Government's Fast-track Approvals Bill, and more now think of it as a bad idea.

A Horizon Research August 2024 survey, commissioned by Greenpeace, finds 

55% (2,141,000 adults) had heard of the Fast-track Approvals Bill.

35% (1,353,000 adults) said they had not heard of it, which was a significant drop from 42% in May 2024.

Bad v Good Idea

There has been some change in opinion on the Fast-track Approvals Bill.

• 30% (1,167,000 adults) think the Fast-track Approvals Bill is a good idea, a significant drop from 34% in May
• 40% (1,562,000 adults) think it is a bad idea
• 30% (1,140,000 adults) were not sure.

Biggest concerns

The biggest concern about the Fast-track Approvals Bill was that activities that are currently prohibited (like dumping raw sewage into the ocean) could be allowed – 80% were very concerned/concerned (3,100,000 adults).

The second biggest concern, for 70% (2,694,000 adults),, was members of the public will not have the right to have a say on fast-tracked developments proposed for their community.

Of least concern, on a list of aspects of the bill, was the bill does not require developers to consider Te Tiriti o Waitangi. 48% (1,836,000 adults) were concerned about it.

Seabed mining in South Taranaki Bight

63% (2,439,000 adults) were concerned about the possibility of seabed mining in the South Taranaki Bight.

Seabed mining concerns by party voted for in 2023

62% of ACT, 50% of National are not concerned about the possibility of seabed mining in the South Taranaki Bight. 30% of ACT,  38% of National and 60% of New Zealand First voters are concerned.

NZ First voters' views change

On a statement on the results, Greenpeace said the new polling shows that by pushing the controversial Fast Track Bill, NZ First could be getting offside with its own support base.

The poll found that an increasing majority of NZ First voters do not support the Fast Track Bill and that their support has fallen sharply to only 36% from 55% in May 2024.

A similar poll in May 2024 showed 55% of New Zealand First voters thought the bill was a good idea, but by August 2024, this support dropped to only 36%.

Download a full copy of the survey report: Download File.

Methodology

These results are from a Horizon Research survey conducted between 9^th and 14^th August 2024. The total sample size was 1,080 adults, 18 years of age and over.     

The maximum margin of error is ±3% (at the 95% confidence level).

The data was weighted on age, ethnicity, personal income, region and party vote 2023.