Researchers who carried out a survey of the attitudes of 3,600 New Zealanders believe the results show that New Zealand society is becoming more conservative.
The University of Otago’s Consumer Research Group has found that New Zealanders are becoming more traditional in their viewpoints, with greater emphasis than before on marriage, the family unit, showing respect to one’s elders and attaining social recognition.
A previous study, conducted in 2000/01, showed that family relationships were changing rapidly, with Kiwi families spending less time together and a disappearing middle class.
In contrast, the current study has shown a return to traditional family relationships and marriage as an institution, with respondents indicating a desire to spend more time at home with family and concern about working parents spending less time with their children.
The survey also found more positive sentiment toward New Zealand as a place to live. Less people believed they needed to go overseas to succeed.
Other trends and opinions identified in the study included:
- New Zealanders across all sectors believe they are paying too much tax - a marked change since the previous survey.
- More New Zealanders are content with the current population size and do not support higher levels of immigration.
- For the first time since 1995, people believe racial issues are better.
- New Zealanders believe spending on health and education are the main priorities for government expenditure, followed by policing and the environment.
- New Zealanders have become more sophisticated consumers paying more attention to quality and service in addition to price - responding to “specials” and other deals on prices.
- More New Zealanders claim to use independent resources like Consumer magazine and check labelling for nutritional information.
- Consumers appear to be less concerned about avoiding foods with genetically modified components.