Coasties may be interested to know that trust in key institutions across Aotearoa New Zealand has taken a notable dip, according to the 2023 General Social Survey (GSS) released today by Stats NZ.

This annual survey tracks the public's sense of wellbeing, satisfaction, and trust levels, shedding light on how residents feel about everything from the health system to the media.

Sarah Drake, Stats NZ's wellbeing and housing statistics manager, explains, “As a result of recent global events such as COVID-19, our society has faced a number of challenges. Institutional trust, trust in other people, sense of belonging, and a sense of safety are all important measures of people feeling part of society.”

While New Zealanders are still generally satisfied with their lives—scoring an average of 7.6 out of 10 in overall life satisfaction—the numbers tell a different story when it comes to trust.

Trust in institutions, including the police, parliament, and the media, has dropped across the board since 2021.

Trust in Key Institutions

In 2023, the highest trust rating went to the police, who scored an average of 7.4 out of 10, though this has dipped slightly from 7.7 in 2021.

Trust in the media remains the lowest, now at 4.3, down from 4.7.

The most significant decline was seen in trust for parliament, which dropped from 5.7 in 2021 to 4.9 this year.

Trust in People and Sense of Belonging

The survey also measured the public’s trust in other people, with a slight decrease from 6.7 in 2021 to 6.5 in 2023.

The sense of belonging to New Zealand has also declined, with the total population scoring an 8.2, down from 8.6 two years ago.

Interestingly, Māori reported a stronger sense of belonging, at 8.5, compared with other groups like Asian New Zealanders, who reported a drop from 8.3 to 7.8.

Safety Concerns on the Rise

Residents also reported feeling less safe overall, particularly when using public transport at night or walking alone after dark.

Only 42% of respondents felt safe waiting for public transport at night, compared with 49% in 2021.

Similarly, just 55% felt safe walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark, down from 59% in 2021.

Crime worries have also increased, particularly in regions like Auckland, Bay of Plenty, and Manawatū-Whanganui.

Auckland residents reported the highest increase in worry about crime, rising to a rating of 4.5 out of 10 from 3.8 in 2021.