Nearly half of New Zealanders say government policies increasing racial tensions, poll finds

Since it took office last year, New Zealand’s rightwing coalition government’s policy direction for Māori has sparked multiple protests and mass meetings of Māori leaders. Photograph: Dave Lintott/AFP/Getty Images

Nearly half of New Zealanders believe the government’s policies have increased racial tensions, new polling shows, as pressure mounts on the government over policy changes that many fear will undermine Māori rights.

The 1News Verian poll released on Monday found 46% of voters believed racial tensions have worsened as a result of the coalition’s policies, while 37% said there had been no difference and 10% thought tensions had reduced. Another 7% of respondents said they didn’t know or preferred not to comment.