New Zealanders are far more optimistic about the year ahead than Australians, new survey results show.
The survey was conducted in mid-November, just after the new government was formed Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang
The Roy Morgan Research survey found 53 per cent of New Zealanders think 2018 will be better than 2017, while only 31 per cent of Australians felt the same way.
The Australian result is the lowest for the survey since 1980.
Roy Morgan Research head Michele Levine said Malcolm Turnbull's government should be concerned about the findings.
"Comparing sentiment in New Zealand to their counterparts across the Tasman in Australia shows New Zealanders are far more optimistic than Australians," she said.
Among New Zealanders, those who voted for Labour, New Zealand First or the Greens were overwhelmingly positive about 2018.
74 percent of Labour supporters, 67 percent of NZ First supporters and 82 percent of Greens supporters expect next year to be better than 2017.
Michele Levine put those results down to the change of government, with the survey conducted in mid-November.
"This optimism has clearly been driven by the recent election victory of new Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern," she said.
"In addition, a striking majority of 58 percent of women believe 2018 will be better than 2017, compared to 48 percent of men."
Meanwhile, just 30 per cent of National Party supporters were optimisic about 2018.