Just over half of people think Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is out of touch with voters, according to a new 1News Verian poll.
A total of 51% said he was out of touch, with 37% saying he is in touch and 12% indicating they didn’t know or preferred not to say.
Groups more likely to say Luxon was out of touch were Green Party supporters (88%), Labour Party supporters (75%) and New Zealand First supporters (72%). Māori (65%) and young people – 18 to 34s – (58%) were also more likely to agree.
Those more likely to view Luxon as in touch with voters were National Party supporters (71%), ACT Party supporters (63%) and people aged 70+ (52%).
Those with a household income of $150,000 or more (48%) and men (42%) were also more inclined to say the Prime Minister was in touch.
Luxon responded to the results saying he was in touch with voters.
“I’m out and about across New Zealand, meeting people from all walks of life, and I can tell you right now it’s incredibly tough for New Zealanders, but they’ve got hope that a new Government is delivering for them and we’ve got some encouraging signs going forward.”
He said his wealth – which Labour has criticised – wasn’t necessarily linked with how in touch or out of touch he was, saying he was a “successful former businessperson”.
“I think that’s good that you can have people from all walks of life across New Zealand actually coming to this place and being able make a contribution and being able to represent, and I understand what’s going on for New Zealanders.”
Trade Minister Todd McClay said Luxon was “definitely in touch”.
“He’s very engaged with people, is interested in what’s affecting them and we’re working out ways to make their lives better.
“We’re a new Government, we’re dealing with some pretty big difficult issues and we recognise that it is very hard for New Zealanders everywhere.
“He’s very passionate about New Zealand, he cares about the country.”
Housing Minister Chris Bishop said not everyone had a chance to meet Luxon, but “almost everyone who does meet the Prime Minister walks away saying what a great job he’s doing and what a nice guy he is”.
Of criticism from Labour about Luxon’s wealth, Bishop said New Zealand had had wealthy prime ministers before.
“I don’t think people really care about it to be honest, people realise that prime ministers come from a variety of different backgrounds, different wealth, different perspectives on things.
“Actually what matters is how you do the job.”
Otaki MP Tim Costley said Luxon being out of touch with voters “isn’t the reality”.
He said when Luxon had visited his electorate he was “playing games with the kids” and “talking to your average person”.
“He’s absolutely grounded.”
But Labour leader Chris Hipkins said Luxon himself had said he “doesn’t care about what New Zealanders think about the actions that his Government is taking”.
“I disagree with that,” Hipkins said. “I think as politicians we should actually care what New Zealanders think about the job that we’re doing when we are in government, when we are making decisions on their behalf on a daily basis.”
Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said she thought most people viewed Luxon as out of touch because he was not showing “sufficient concern for the situation New Zealanders are in”.
“He often seems to blame the situation on other people and not take responsibility for the decisions that he has made,” she said.
Labour children and youth spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime said she and other New Zealanders were “concerned” when “serious questions are put to him and his answers are simply ‘I don’t care’.
“It shows that he is out of touch because those are the things that he should care about and that New Zealanders care about.
“He ‘doesn’t care’ about the evidence that boot camps don’t work, he’s just going to continue pushing on.”
The poll surveyed 1000 people and asked approximately half of them: “Do you think Christopher Luxon is in touch or out of touch with voters”? The question order was rotated so the other half were asked: “Do you think Christopher Luxon is out of touch or in touch with voters?”
The 1News Verian poll also found the coalition Government would likely be returned to power if an election were held today, with 1% drops for National and New Zealand First, but a 1% lift for ACT, giving the coalition parties 63 seats in the House – five fewer than after the 2023 election. Opposition parties would not have enough seats under the poll’s numbers to form a government.
Both Luxon and Hipkins dropped 3% in the preferred prime minister stakes, to 25% and 15% respectively.
The poll also asked if people felt the country was in better or worse shape since the election, or if there was no difference. Of the 1000 people surveyed by Verian, 40% said it was worse, 30% said it was better and 26% said there was no difference. The remainder didn’t know or refused to say.
