59% oppose, 13% support politicians using racial remarks

59% (2,288,000 adults) disagree with the use of racial remarks in politics in order to increase the number of votes a party might get, according to a survey conducted by Horizon Research.

Respondents to the nationwide onbline survey were told: Some politicians in New Zealand have been accused of deliberately making racist remarks in order to increase the number of votes they get.

• 45% (1,724,000 adults) strongly disagree.

• 13% (514,000 adults) agree.

• 20% neither agreed nor disagreed.

The table below shows groups who are significantly more likely to agree with or oppose the use of racial remarks in politics in order to increase the number of votes a party might get.

ACT (22%) and New Zealand First voters (21%) are most likely to agree with the use of racial remarks to increase the number of votes.

However, 46% of ACT and 46% New Zealand First voters disagree.

Green Party voters are the most likely to disagree.

Results by region

By region, Nelson/ Tasman/ Marlborough is the least tolerant of politicians using racial remarks to increase votes: 87% disagree with their use, 3% only disagree.

In Auckland 18% agree (compared with 13% nationwide) and 52% disagree.

Other results, where sub sample sizes are 30 or higher, include:

Waikato 13% (agree) 58% (disagree)

Bay of Plenty 10%, 54%

Taranaki 8%, 64%.

Gisborne/ Hawke's Bay 10%, 55$

Manawatu/ Whanganui 17%, 60%

Wellington 11%, 66%

Canterbury 15%, 63%

Otago 11%, 63%.

Methodology

Horizon Research conducted the survey as part of its public-interest research programme, to help make sure New Zealanders' views are heard on major issues.

Research method

An online survey of adults living in New Zealand aged 18 and older.

Sample sources

Members of two nationwide Horizon Research panels and a third-party panel (used for source diversity).

Fieldwork dates

20 to 27 February 2026

Sample size

1,034 adults.

Weighting

The total sample is weighted on age, ethnicity, gender, region, personal income and Party vote 2023 to match the New Zealand adult population.

Maximum predicted margin of error

±3% at the 95% confidence level.

Population estimates in the report

These are based on the Stats NZ Census 2023 population of 3,865,235 people aged 18 or more. All population numbers are to the nearest thousand.

Further results are available from Horizon by emailing manager@horizonresearch.co.nz

Published results of other surveys are available at Horizon's website.