Poll: 85% of New Zealanders support increasing public healthcare funding
New polling commissioned by Kaitiaki Hauora shows 85 per cent of New Zealanders back increased public healthcare funding. There is overwhelming support regardless of how they vote.
Kaitiaki Hauora is a coalition of health workers, patients, unions and community groups working to ensure public healthcare is properly funded and works for everyone.
The Talbot Mills Research poll found overwhelming support for more investment in public healthcare, at a time when hospitals, primary care and frontline staff are under increasing pressure.
The Talbot Mills Research poll found:
85 per cent of New Zealanders support increasing health funding by at least enough to keep up with rising costs, wages and a growing and aging population.
40 per cent want funding increased above rising costs to improve care
45 per cent want funding increased to keep up with rising costs
6 per cent want funding kept the same
3 per cent think funding should be reduced
6 per cent are unsure
85 per cent of New Zealanders support increasing health funding by at least enough to keep up with rising costs, wages and a growing and aging population.
Support for increased funding was strong across party vote groups, showing this is not a niche or partisan concern, but a broadly shared public expectation.
Kaitiaki Hauora Chair Rob Campbell said the results send a clear message ahead of Budget decisions on health spending.
“This is not a close call. New Zealanders are clearly saying they want public healthcare funded properly.”
“And importantly, that support cuts across party lines. People may disagree on plenty, but they agree the health system needs more support than it’s getting.”
The poll also found many New Zealanders (40 per cent) favour not just keeping up with rising costs and population change but to increase funding above that in order to improve care.
“When costs and population keep rising and the population is aging, even just keeping up is not neutral when there are already big gaps in our services. It means falling behind.”
“People can see what is happening. They see the long waits, the pressure on staff, and the growing reliance on inequitable private care. They want a public health system that works.”
Kaitiaki Hauora said the results should be a wake-up call for politicians.
“The public is ahead of the politics on this. People know the system needs more than spin and short-term fixes. It needs proper funding.”
The poll comes as Kaitiaki Hauora prepares to mark World Health Day on 7 April with two events in Wellington. At lunchtime, a symbolic public bake sale at Midland Park will highlight the gap between what the system needs and what it is currently funded to deliver.
“Bake sales are what communities do when something important has been left short.”
“Public healthcare should not have to survive on that logic.” Mr Campbell says.
Following the bake sale, Kaitiaki Hauora is holding a public meeting on Tuesday evening at St Andrew’s on The Terrace. Speakers include Fleur Fitzsimons, Louisa Wall, Dr Malcolm Mullholland, Luca Zampese, and chaired by Kassie Hartendorp.
Kaitiaki Hauora is a coalition of health workers, patients, unions and community groups working to ensure public healthcare is properly funded and works for everyone.
Ends
Notes for editors:
Talbot Mills Research poll
Conducted 16 to 30 March 2026
Sample size: 1509
The maximum sampling error for a sample size of 1509 at the 95% confidence level is ± 3.1%
Event details
Bake sale: 11.30am on Tuesday 7 April, Midland Park
Public meeting: 5.30-7pm on Tuesday 7 April, St Andrew’s on The Terrace
About Kaitiaki Hauora
Kaitiaki Hauora | Together for Public Health is a nationwide alliance working to protect and strengthen public healthcare in Aotearoa New Zealand. It brings together health professionals, unions, and community voices to advocate for a system that is properly funded, equitable, honouring te Tiriti, and kept in public hands.
The group advocates for a health system that serves people, not profit.
More information about Kaitiaki Hauora and the organisations involved is available at kaitiakihauora.nz