M.P. Conducts Halswell Poll (Press, 10 October 1985)

On 10 October 1985, a significant poll was conducted in the Oaklands and Halswell suburbs of south-west Christchurch to gauge residents' opinions on vital national issues. Organised by Ruth Richardson, the National Party's representative for Selwyn, the poll surveyed 3,000 residents with 599 responses collected. Richardson aimed to understand the views of urban voters, underlining that urban thinking now influenced New Zealand politics. The poll consisted of 34 questions covering a broad array of topics such as public expenditure, parliamentary reform, foreign affairs, defence policy, economic strategy, industrial relations, agriculture, and education, as well as social issues like homosexual law reform and adult adoption information. The responses were balanced between genders, with a notable 50 per cent of participants under 40. A significant portion of the respondents expressed strong opinions on defence matters, with 78 per cent asserting that New Zealand should remain involved in the ANZUS alliance to maintain peace. Additionally, 72 per cent supported the idea of establishing a nuclear weapon-free zone in the South Pacific. However, opinions were mixed regarding the presence of nuclear-capable or nuclear-powered ships in New Zealand waters, with 54 per cent opposing a ban on such vessels while 69 per cent believed nuclear weapons should not enter territorial waters. The poll also explored economic preferences, with respondents divided on the balance between market approaches and government controls. While 65 per cent preferred a market approach for wages, support dropped for prices and interest rates, with only 50 per cent and 52 per cent respectively favouring government controls. In a discussion about unionism, the results indicated that 72 per cent of respondents favoured voluntary unionism over compulsory membership. In the field of education, Richardson's findings revealed that 65 per cent of residents felt the education system was not adequately meeting modern societal needs, with 58 per cent expressing dissatisfaction with the educational standards achieved by their children. Moreover, a notable 62 per cent supported the introduction of external examinations to assess pupil performance. Richardson's poll also included questions related to New Zealand's constitutional framework. When asked about the ideal duration between general elections, 42 per cent advocated for a three-year cycle, while 39 per cent preferred four years and 19 per cent indicated five years. On the size of Parliament, 69 per cent called for no changes to the number of members, whereas 12.67 per cent sought an increase and 17.91 per cent preferred a reduction. Attitudes towards Māori seats revealed that 55.86 per cent wanted them abolished, 23.62 per cent wished to maintain the current four, 15 per cent wanted an increase, and 5.52 per cent sought a decrease. Overall, the poll provided a comprehensive insight into the perspectives of south-west Christchurch residents on critical national issues, highlighting a desire for change in certain areas while also reflecting significant support for existing frameworks.

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