Aupito and Anae warn parties: NZ's Pacific voters will judge you on delivery, not promises

Pacific voters are sending a clear message ahead of this year’s general election: tackle the rising cost of living, improve health and housing, and earn our trust.

A new PMN News-Horizon Research Pacific Issues Election Survey shows economic pressures remain the biggest concern for Pacific communities in Aotearoa New Zealand while many voters say political parties can no longer rely on past support.

Nine in 10 respondents said the cost of living would influence how they vote.

Jobs and wages ranked next at 75 per cent, followed by health at 66 per cent and housing at 65 per cent.

When asked which issues political parties should prioritise for Pacific families, 67 per cent chose the cost of living, followed by Pacific health services at 54 per cent and Pacific housing and home ownership at 51 per cent.

The survey also points to a trust gap between Pacific voters and several political parties.

Among those surveyed, 72 per cent said National did not understand Pacific communities well. That figure rose to 74 per cent for ACT and 59 per cent for New Zealand First.

Listen to the interview with Aupito William Sio and Anae Arthur Anae below.

Former Labour Cabinet minister Aupito William Sio says the findings show Pacific voters are paying close attention.

"Pacific voters are switched on," he told William Terite on Pacific Mornings. "They're clear about what matters to them and increasingly critical when parties don't deliver on the cost of living, housing, and real Pacific representation."

The survey found Labour was viewed most positively, with 70 per cent saying the party understood Pacific communities well. Te Pāti Māori followed at 50 per cent, and the Green Party at 46 per cent.

When asked which party would do the best job for ‘Pacific peoples’, 53 per cent chose Labour. However, one in 10 respondents said no particular party would do the best job, while seven per cent were unsure.

Aupito says the findings should serve as a warning to every party contesting the election.

"Pacific voters expect Labour to deliver on economic and social outcomes, not just rely on historical loyalty."

Representation also remains important with 79 per cent of respondents saying it matters that political parties have Pacific candidates or Members of Parliament.

Written comments from respondents echoed the survey with many describing the pressure of rising living costs and frustration that politicians do not understand facing everyday families.

One respondent said: "The cost of living is a huge problem - neither side seems to be able to fix it."

A new survey shows housing is one of the top issues on Pacific voters' minds. Photo/File

Another said the major political parties were "out of touch with the common people" and risked losing support to smaller parties.

Former National MP Anae Arthur Anae, who is standing for New Zealand First at this year’s election, says the survey reflects what many Pacific families are experiencing.

"The people are screaming and they're hurting," he told Terite.

Anae says political parties need to focus on the everyday challenges facing Pacific communities, while defending New Zealand First’s record with Pacific voters.

The online Horizon Research survey of 293 Pacific respondents was conducted between 23 June and 7 July. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 5.7 percentage points.

Aupito says the message from Pacific voters is straightforward: “They’ll be judged on delivery, not just slogans.”

He says political parties cannot rely on past support, they must earn trust by delivering on the issues that matter most.