The survey

Stuff conducted a survey of all local body candidates nationwide, asking a series of questions about climate change issues. The project, titled ‘‘The Voting Climate’’, is being published as voting papers arrive in letterboxes around the country.

At a national level, the survey found a large majority of people standing for councils believed climate change would personally affect members of their community, at 92 per cent.

Ninety per cent believed climate change was one of the most important issues facing the country, and 82 per cent believed public transport and non-vehicle transport options should be prioritised. Only 13 per cent of candidates who responded to our survey felt enough was being done by central and local government. A small minority, 16 per cent, said they remain unsure or firmly rejected the established science that human-caused climate change exists.

However, the survey found less agreement among candidates on exactly how to take action. Nationally, just over half (56 per cent) agreed an adequate response to climate change may need to come at the expense of economic growth. Less than half (41 per cent) saw a role for councils in making sure there is a functioning market for home insurance in their communities. Around 2000 candidates for city, regional and district councils were contacted for the survey between September 3 and 13. Responses from 801 candidates had been received when the survey closed.