Over half of Kiwis feel system is rigged against them: poll

A new poll shows that a majority of the country think the economic and political system are set up to take care of the rich and powerful instead of them.

The Ipsos poll, taken in May of 2017, shows that women and those earning less are even more likely to consider the system broken.

But Kiwis are less disenchanted than those in other countries and just a quarter think the country is in ‘‘decline’’.

Still, the numbers make for bracing reading for any politician.

Fully 56 per cent of Kiwis questioned agree that traditional parties and politicians don’t care about people like them.

Just 16 per cent disagreed with that sentiment, and the unemployed were far more likely to think the system was rigged. In other countries like Australia dissatisfaction was higher.

But the economy got even worse marks than the politicians.

Six in 10 – 64 per cent – agreed that the country’s economy was rigged to advantage the rich and powerful.

Women and those earning less than $30,000 were significantly more likely to agree with that, and those earning over $100,000 were significantly less likely to agree.

‘‘There definitely does seem to be some sense that there is a mood for change,’’ said Ipsos’s Nicola Legge.

‘‘There is a sense that the economy is most benefiting those who need it least, with politicians having lost sight of the needs of everyday Kiwis.

‘‘There are also signs that as we prepare to go to the polls in September many are open to a leader that will break the mould and release us from more of the same.’’

Political scientist Bryce Edwards said everyone who was part of the ‘‘system’’ – Left or Right – should heed the warning.

‘‘Until now, it has looked like New Zealand has been immune from the world-wide increase in radical politics and rebellion against the establishment. This poll shows that such political upheavals could yet come to New Zealand,’’ Edwards said.

‘‘This poll could be taken as a wake up call that not all is well in New Zealand. Levels of satisfaction are clearly in question at the moment.’’

The online poll questioned a weighted sample of 507 adults.