A new Ipsos Issues Monitor poll has revealed that New Zealanders are most concerned about the cost of living, with public confidence in the government falling to its lowest level since tracking began.

The October 2025 report, based on responses from 1004 people between 21 October and 30 October, has shown that 61 percent of New Zealanders see inflation and the cost of living as the most important issue facing the country.

It is the fifteenth consecutive survey where it has ranked first.

Healthcare and hospitals remained the second highest concern at 42 percent. The economy is third at thirty two percent.

Housing has dropped to 22 percent, the lowest level since September 2018. Concern about crime and law and order has continued to ease, with nineteen percent selecting it as a top issue.

Ipsos said unemployment and poverty remain mid-level concerns at nineteen percent each. Climate change sits at fifteen percent. Race relations has re-entered the top ten at seven percent.

Generational differences remain strong. Young New Zealanders aged 18 to 34 are mostly worried about financial pressures, with unemployment rising sharply for this group. Older New Zealanders aged sixty five and over remain most concerned about healthcare and inflation, while crime is a significantly higher concern for those over fifty.

The report has shown a significant drop in how the public rates the government.

The average performance score has fallen to three point nine out of ten, down from four point two in August. Forty five percent of respondents rated the government between zero and three.

When asked which political party is most capable of managing the top issues, respondents selected Labour for six of the top seven concerns, including inflation and the economy. National was seen as most capable on crime and law and order.