Perceptions of Fairness in Aotearoa New Zealand
We ran a series of surveys and public conversations to explore “What does fairness mean to New Zealanders?”
What was the project about?
This project was conducted in partnership with NZ Institute for Economic Research (NZIER) and the New Zealand Treasury. It aimed to better understand New Zealanders’ perceptions of fairness, asking the broad question: “What does fairness mean to New Zealanders?”
The project investigated both the values that people think are important and their views on what life in New Zealand is really like. A survey using a representative sample of the adult population provided an initial understanding of what fairness means to New Zealanders. Using insights from the survey, the Complex Conversations team then used an online deliberative engagement tool to develop a more nuanced understanding of the variety of perceptions of fairness.
How did it work?
Phase 1 of the project was led by NZIER and took place from December 2023 to April 2024. It involved a stated-preference survey using a representative sample to develop an initial understanding of what fairness means to New Zealanders.
Phase 2 built on the survey results using the public conversation forum Pol.is to develop a more nuanced understanding of New Zealand’s perceptions of fairness. The Pol.is conversation ran from mid-May through the first week of June 2024. Pol.is inherently focuses attention on major differences of opinion and on areas of common ground.
What was discussed?
This project aimed to address the following research questions:
- What does fairness mean to New Zealanders?
- What economic conditions drive perceptions of fairness?
- To what extent are New Zealander’s perceptions of fairness grounded in reality?
The framing of the Pol.is conversation was based on the conceptions of fairness introduced in phase 1. A set of 22 seed statements were introduced to start the conversation, and voting patterns on these statements serve as a comparison between respondents in phase 1 vs phase 2.
The project investigated both the values that people think are important and their views on what life in New Zealand is really like.
What did we find out?
There was significant agreement between participants about what fairness means and what is important for fairness. However, there was disagreement about whether life in New Zealand is fair and about what drives differences in outcomes.
Participants disagree about how fair life actually is. More people think life is fair for them than not, and more people think that life was fairer 30 years ago. People tend to think life is less fair for other people than for themselves.
People are more likely to agree that fairness is about how outcomes are achieved rather than what the outcomes are. Specifically, people were most likely to say that fairness is about equal opportunities and reward for effort, individual rights and freedoms, and social, legal and political equality.
When it comes to the fairness of economic outcomes in particular (rather than fairness in general), people were most concerned about ensuring everyone has enough and prioritising those who are worse off than others. However, this was seen as less important than equal opportunities.
Most participants feel that quality of life and access to opportunities and services are more important for fairness than income or wealth.
Most participants belong to one of two opinion groups. The larger group believes that people have different starting points in life, and fairness means providing resources or opportunities to overcome those differences. The smaller group – which tends to be older and more male – believes that people already have equal opportunities and should be rewarded for their efforts or choices.
