57% say completely cancel asset sales after “No” vote

A Horizon Research poll which correctly called the result of the asset sales referendum also found that 57% of New Zealanders wanted all future sales cancelled if the referendum result opposed sales.

The official preliminary referendum result is 67.2% against and 32.5% for selling up to 49% of Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power, Genesis Power, Solid Energy and Air New Zealand.  

The HorizonPoll of 2,841 people in October, representing the New Zealand adult population, found 69.3% at that time would vote no to and 30.7% yes.  (The survey’s maximum margin of error is +/- 1.8%).

The survey also asked what respondents thought the Government should do if there was less than majority support for partial asset sales.   14.8% said to carry on with the sales 24.8% said to continue with any sales underway but not sell any more, and 57% said to cancel any sales underway and not sell any more of these assets.   (3.7% suggested something else should be done).

If the referendum shows there is less than majority support for selling up to 49% of Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power, Genesis Power, Solid Energy and Air New Zealand, what do you think the Government should do?   A. Carry on with selling 49% of these assets regardless of the referendum result 14.8% B. Continue with any asset sales that are under way but not sell any more of these assets 24.8% C. Cancel any asset sales that are under way and do not sell any more of these assets 57% D. Something else (please tell us what that is) 3.4% .

Those  who voted National at the 2011 general election are slightly more for completing any sales under way but cancelling future sales (34.2%) than other options (carry on 33.1%, completely cancel 30.2%).     If the referendum shows there is less than majority support for selling up to 49% of Meridian Energy, Mighty River Power, Genesis Power, Solid Energy and Air New Zealand, what do you think the Government should do?   Total Carry on Complete current sales and stop Cancel Something else     ALL 2841 14.8% 24.8% 57% 3.4%

PARTY VOTE 2011   ACT New Zealand 0.7% 73.5% 19% 7.6%     Chose not to vote 14.5% 6% 35.9% 57.6% 0.5%   Conservative 1.8% 15.6% 20.1% 62.6% 1.7%   Don't know or can't remember 10.7% 5.7% 17.2% 71% 6.1%   Green Party 7.4% 1.5% 12.4% 78.3% 7.8%   Labour Party 18.9% 1.9% 10.1% 84% 4%   Mana Party 0.6% 4%   92.5% 3.5%   Maori Party 1% 5.4% 14.5% 78.9% 1.1%   National Party 32.6% 33.1% 34.2% 30.2% 2.5%   New Zealand First Party 4.5% 4.2% 10.3% 79.2% 6.3%   Other party 0.5% 27.2% 10% 62.8%     United Future 0.6% 24.3% 26.3% 48.3% 1%   Was not eligible to vote 5.7% 13.1% 40.7% 44.1% 2%.

Earlier results for the HorizonPoll survey are here.   Electoral Commission preliminary referendum results are here.  

For further information on this research please contact   Grant McInman, Manager, Horizon Research Limited Telephone: 021 076 2040, e-mail gmcinman@horizonresearch.co.nz