Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
The Prime Minister insists economic activity is improving, despite a new poll showing rising concerns.
National has lost ground on the economy, and voters still see Labour as most capable of handling the cost of living, according to a new poll.
The Ipsos Issues Monitor is a quarterly survey that asks New Zealanders what they consider to be the most important issues, and the political parties they believe are most capable at handling them.
Its latest survey shows the cost of living is still the number one issue concerning voters, with 60 percent of New Zealanders identifying it as a concern.
In the previous survey, Labour overtook National on the cost of living, and it has now increased its lead on the issue by one point to 33 percent.
National, meanwhile, has dropped five points to 26 percent.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Morning Report, while he didn't comment on polls, he believed the previous Labour government was the reason behind cost of living rises.
"I think Labour's approach of taxing more, borrowing more, spending more is what got us into the mess and that's what we're now clearing up.
"The state of the economy is a worry for all New Zealanders, I think we have a good plan... but we're also dealing with a big recession, but the recovery is actually coming."
Luxon said rural industries were "doing well", but it was more challenging for urban environments like Auckland and Wellington.
Within Auckland he felt people were feeling more positive than they were a month or so ago however.
"I know it's tough but we're dealing with a post-Covid hangover. I appreciate it's still difficult, but it's coming."
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