Just over a quarter (27 percent) of New Zealanders said they were satisfied with the country's national infrastructure, which compared with the global average of 40 percent. Photo: 123rf
A global survey indicates two thirds of the population believe New Zealand is not doing enough to meet infrastructure needs, particularly where housing is concerned.
Research firm Ipsos's 2024 Global Infrastructure Report rated New Zealand's satisfaction with infrastructure near the bottom of the 32 countries surveyed, with 42 percent saying it was not up to scratch.
Just over a quarter (27 percent) of New Zealanders said they were satisfied with the country's national infrastructure, which compared with the global average of 40 percent.
Ipsos country manager Carin Hercock said four out of five (79 percent) New Zealanders believed investing in infrastructure would create new jobs and boost the economy, compared with a global average of 68 percent.
While 40 percent thought improvements to infrastructure should not be at the expense of taxpayers and consumers, 69 percent were "fine" with private sector investment in infrastructure, while 40 percent were supportive of higher taxes or cost increases for consumers.
Hercock said there had been a drop in sentiment since 2019 when 40 percent of those surveyed were satisfied with infrastructure.
"We saw with Cyclone Gabrielle, it had quite a big impact on things like roading. And also the awareness that climate events can have significant damage in New Zealand.
"So I think that's made us a little bit more conscious about investing in those important infrastructure areas."
New Zealand's quality ratings based on an Ipsos survey of 1001 NZ adults
- Airports very/fairly good 81 percent vs very/fairly poor 16 percent
- Digital/broadband very/fairly good 70 percent vs very/fairly poor 23 percent
- Water supply/sewerage very/fairly good 56 percent vs very/fairly poor 39 percent
- Motorway, roading network very/fairly good 50 percent vs very/fairly poor 49 percent
- Renewable energy very/fairly good 49 percent vs very/fairly poor 39 percent
- Local road network very/fairly good 41 percent vs very/fairly poor 58 percent
- Electric vehicle charging very/fairly good 35 percent vs very/fairly poor 43 percent
- Rail infrastructure very/fairly good 33 percent vs very/fairly poor 57 percent
- New housing very/fairly good 27 percent vs very/fairly poor 67 percent
- Flood defences very/fairly good 24 percent vs very/fairly poor 64 percent
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