New Zealanders overwhelmingly back the Government’s approach to the recent lockdown. Recent polling found the lockdown had support from 84% of the population.
Unlike in many countries, New Zealand has not seen large scale demonstrations against lockdowns. In New Zealand, a political consensus has endured so far, with cross-party support for the country’s elimination strategy. There is no anti-mask brigade in parliament, and little political appetite for a snap reopening that could cost thousands of lives.
In fact, according to a Pew Research study from last year New Zealander’s trust in the Government is growing. 75% of people there believed their society was more unified in 2020 than pre-Covid – the second-highest in the world, beaten only by Singapore.
While most New Zealand’s population supports the Government’s approach, there is a substantial number of migrants and visa holders who are struggling. Lack of clarity around the easing of border restrictions, MIQ and immigration processing is creating anxiety, and New Zealand risks losing skilled migrants.
