Public perceptions of New Zealand’s environment: 2019

Abstract

The ninth survey (the series having begun in 2000) of people’s perceptions of the state of the New Zealand environment was undertaken over March–April 2019. The survey is based on the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) model of environmental reporting and remains the only long-running survey of this type in the world. For the third time this survey was undertaken only using electronic media. The changing nature and ability of these media have made it challenging to compare the 2019 results with our earlier paper-based surveys. New Zealanders’ perceptions of all the main resource areas (e.g., air, freshwater, biodiversity) were tested. Statistical analyses identified the roles of several socio-demographic variables. Notably in 2019 there was a vastly increased proportion of younger (30 years and less) respondents and these relatively more positive, on average, respondents have led to significant differences from some key findings reported in 2016 —overall the perceptions are more positive albeit they remain overall negative about many aspects of Aotearoa-New Zealand’s natural environment. Amongst many PSR findings, some that are notable include the following: • New Zealanders continue to consider the state and management of the New Zealand environment to be good, and better than in other developed countries. • The states of air, and native bush and forests were rated highest, while rivers and lakes, and marine fisheries were rated as being in the worst state. • Management of all components of the environment was considered to be adequate to good, with management of national parks rated the highest. Rivers and lakes, marine fisheries, coastal resources and beaches, and groundwater were judged to be the worst managed parts of the environment. • Management of farm effluent and runoff continued to be perceived very negatively. • Farming is perceived to be one of the three main causes of damage to freshwater although for the first time in the survey’s history the proportion of respondents choosing this cause of damage declined. • Water related issues were again rated as the most important environmental issue facing New Zealand, while Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change was again the most commonly identified global issue. Notably for New Zealand climate change increased hugely as an issue in the 2019 survey. One case study concerned predator control and is directly comparable to the 2016 survey. Overall more people reported all of the ‘big 4’ predators close to their residence, and for all species more people reported undertaking unpaid control work. The main reasons for undertaking this work were linked to environmental and nuisance concerns. Over half or respondents thought more control is needed with a similar proportion suggesting the Department of Conservation should do more control work. A second case study dealt with aspects of 1080 use. A number of positively and negatively framed statements were posed. The most prevalent response to these questions, irrespective of framing, was ‘neither agree nor disagree’, typically for around 40% of respondents. Support, or otherwise for the statements varied hugely. For example around 60% of respondents consider 1080 is an effective introduced predator killer; on the other hand around 25% considered 1080 to be humane. Relative to other controversial activities (e.g., compulsory vaccination, supported by around 75% of respondents) using more aerial 1080 garnered a much more divided response (around 35% for or against with the balance ‘neither support nor oppose’).