The phrasing of a poll question is a critical factor that can significantly influence, guide, and determine the answers provided by poll respondents. Small and deliberate changes in wording will sway data, leading to different interpretations of how people feel about an issue but more importantly, what the poll results show!
Leading or loaded questions steer poll respondents toward prerequired or predetermined answers.
I would love to have a look at the “questions” in this “poll”
“Many of the results tell a different story to the narrative of division we have been fed over the past two years,” I’m sorry but I am just unable to believe that statement!
“The majority of New Zealanders value Māori culture and traditions, care about the real histories of Aotearoa, and want respectful discussions about Te Tiriti.” Now that is a different story!
Of course we value Māori culture and traditions, care about the real histories of Aotearoa, and want respectful discussions about Te Tiriti.” But we have had enough of successive governments treating Maori people as special people, as people who must be treated differently, as people whose culture must stand above all others!
I bet the poll didn’t ask if the respondent felt “Maori receive excessive funding and support.”
Or, “Do Maori exert too must influence and control over our governance.”
If this comment by the HRC doesn’t show their obvious racial bias I don’t know what will – The Committee raised concerns about a range of recent government initiatives and warned that weakening Treaty protections “could undermine progress towards reconciliation and risk entrenching historical, structural, and systemic discrimination against Māori”.
The Waitangi Tribunal also emerged as the most trusted source of accurate information about Te Tiriti / the Treaty,
That the Waitangi Tribunal has made expert findings that Māori didn’t give up their sovereignty when they signed the Treaty / Te Tiriti (14% not at all aware)
Give me a break!!! One could say – “You could not make this BS up!” But it looks like they did!
The findings will be used by the Commission to inform its awareness-raising, research and education activities. Don’t they mean BRAINWASHING!
How and why does Luxon’s government allow this prejudicial government department to continue to hoover up millions of taxpayer funds???
https://tikatangata.org.nz/news/horizon-survey-almost-three-quarters-of-new-zealanders-think-that-honouring-te-tiriti-is-important-for-the-future-of-aotearoa-new-zealand
New poll highlights New Zealanders’ support for Te Tiriti.
For the third year, Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission has surveyed New Zealanders’ awareness, understanding and attitudes to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, human rights and New Zealand’s constitution.
The survey found that a sense of belonging, respect for human rights, and an understanding of our history are overwhelmingly viewed by New Zealanders as important to Aotearoa’s future. It also highlighted the importance of respectful discussion about Te Tiriti (viewed as important by 78%), positive relationships between Māori and the Crown (83%), and legal and constitutional protection of Te Tiriti (70%).
Conducted by Horizon Research on behalf of the Commission in December 2025, it follows similar surveys in 2024 and 2023.
“Many of the results tell a different story to the narrative of division we have been fed over the past two years,” says the Commission’s Indigenous Rights Governance Partner, Dayle Takitimu. “The majority of New Zealanders value Māori culture and traditions, care about the real histories of Aotearoa, and want respectful discussions about Te Tiriti.”
In December the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination called on New Zealand to uphold Te Tiriti, making a specific recommendation to Government to “take measures to counter misinformation and divisive narratives regarding the Treaty and to promote public understanding of its role in advancing harmony and equality”.
The Committee raised concerns about a range of recent government initiatives and warned that weakening Treaty protections “could undermine progress towards reconciliation and risk entrenching historical, structural, and systemic discrimination against Māori”.
“It’s our hope that this data reassures New Zealanders that they are more united than they think,” adds Takitimu. “We want people to share these numbers far and wide, even the areas where we can do better. Let’s have a discussion about how political rhetoric and misinformation moves us, and how we can all have more constructive discussions in future — tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti.”
What New Zealanders think is important for the future of their country
🔆 70% that Te Tiriti is protected in our laws and constitution.
🔆 78% respectful discussion of Te Tiriti.
🔆 87% everyone knows the country’s history.
🔆 83% positive Crown/Māori relationships.
🔆 79% protecting and celebrating Māori culture, language and identity.
🔆 74% harmonious race relations through honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
🔆 91% that human rights are protected in New Zealand’s laws and constitution.
🔆 93% that everyone feels a sense of belonging.
The survey also asked respondents to rate their own level of knowledge around Tiriti issues, as well as their awareness of a range of statements. The findings show that people feel well informed about Te Tiriti and have high levels of awareness of a range of basic Treaty facts.
For example, there is strong awareness of the links between Te Tiriti and human rights, with 88% aware that Te Tiriti relates to people’s human rights, and 80% aware that globally agreed human rights standards recognise and protect the rights of Indigenous peoples. Four in five people are aware that the Waitangi Tribunal has made expert findings on what was agreed to through Te Tiriti.
The Waitangi Tribunal also emerged as the most trusted source of accurate information about Te Tiriti / the Treaty, trusted by 45% of respondents. The Human Rights Commission is named as the fourth most trusted source of accurate information (31%). 17% of respondents said they don’t trust any source.
Of note, areas rating highest in terms of lack of awareness included:
I would love to have a look at the “questions” in this “poll”
“Many of the results tell a different story to the narrative of division we have been fed over the past two years,” I’m sorry but I am just unable to believe that statement!
“The majority of New Zealanders value Māori culture and traditions, care about the real histories of Aotearoa, and want respectful discussions about Te Tiriti.” Now that is a different story!
Of course we value Māori culture and traditions, care about the real histories of Aotearoa, and want respectful discussions about Te Tiriti.” But we have had enough of successive governments treating Maori people as special people, as people who must be treated differently, as people whose culture must stand above all others!
I bet the poll didn’t ask if the respondent felt “Maori receive excessive funding and support.”
Or, “Do Maori exert too must influence and control over our governance.”
If this comment by the HRC doesn’t show their obvious racial bias I don’t know what will – The Committee raised concerns about a range of recent government initiatives and warned that weakening Treaty protections “could undermine progress towards reconciliation and risk entrenching historical, structural, and systemic discrimination against Māori”.
The Waitangi Tribunal also emerged as the most trusted source of accurate information about Te Tiriti / the Treaty,
That the Waitangi Tribunal has made expert findings that Māori didn’t give up their sovereignty when they signed the Treaty / Te Tiriti (14% not at all aware)
Give me a break!!! One could say – “You could not make this BS up!” But it looks like they did!
The findings will be used by the Commission to inform its awareness-raising, research and education activities. Don’t they mean BRAINWASHING!
How and why does Luxon’s government allow this prejudicial government department to continue to hoover up millions of taxpayer funds???
https://tikatangata.org.nz/news/horizon-survey-almost-three-quarters-of-new-zealanders-think-that-honouring-te-tiriti-is-important-for-the-future-of-aotearoa-new-zealand
New poll highlights New Zealanders’ support for Te Tiriti.
For the third year, Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission has surveyed New Zealanders’ awareness, understanding and attitudes to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, human rights and New Zealand’s constitution.
The survey found that a sense of belonging, respect for human rights, and an understanding of our history are overwhelmingly viewed by New Zealanders as important to Aotearoa’s future. It also highlighted the importance of respectful discussion about Te Tiriti (viewed as important by 78%), positive relationships between Māori and the Crown (83%), and legal and constitutional protection of Te Tiriti (70%).
Conducted by Horizon Research on behalf of the Commission in December 2025, it follows similar surveys in 2024 and 2023.
“Many of the results tell a different story to the narrative of division we have been fed over the past two years,” says the Commission’s Indigenous Rights Governance Partner, Dayle Takitimu. “The majority of New Zealanders value Māori culture and traditions, care about the real histories of Aotearoa, and want respectful discussions about Te Tiriti.”
In December the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination called on New Zealand to uphold Te Tiriti, making a specific recommendation to Government to “take measures to counter misinformation and divisive narratives regarding the Treaty and to promote public understanding of its role in advancing harmony and equality”.
The Committee raised concerns about a range of recent government initiatives and warned that weakening Treaty protections “could undermine progress towards reconciliation and risk entrenching historical, structural, and systemic discrimination against Māori”.
“It’s our hope that this data reassures New Zealanders that they are more united than they think,” adds Takitimu. “We want people to share these numbers far and wide, even the areas where we can do better. Let’s have a discussion about how political rhetoric and misinformation moves us, and how we can all have more constructive discussions in future — tangata whenua and tangata Tiriti.”
What New Zealanders think is important for the future of their country
🔆 70% that Te Tiriti is protected in our laws and constitution.
🔆 78% respectful discussion of Te Tiriti.
🔆 87% everyone knows the country’s history.
🔆 83% positive Crown/Māori relationships.
🔆 79% protecting and celebrating Māori culture, language and identity.
🔆 74% harmonious race relations through honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
🔆 91% that human rights are protected in New Zealand’s laws and constitution.
🔆 93% that everyone feels a sense of belonging.
The survey also asked respondents to rate their own level of knowledge around Tiriti issues, as well as their awareness of a range of statements. The findings show that people feel well informed about Te Tiriti and have high levels of awareness of a range of basic Treaty facts.
For example, there is strong awareness of the links between Te Tiriti and human rights, with 88% aware that Te Tiriti relates to people’s human rights, and 80% aware that globally agreed human rights standards recognise and protect the rights of Indigenous peoples. Four in five people are aware that the Waitangi Tribunal has made expert findings on what was agreed to through Te Tiriti.
The Waitangi Tribunal also emerged as the most trusted source of accurate information about Te Tiriti / the Treaty, trusted by 45% of respondents. The Human Rights Commission is named as the fourth most trusted source of accurate information (31%). 17% of respondents said they don’t trust any source.
Of note, areas rating highest in terms of lack of awareness included:
- In relation to the signing of the Declaration of Independence/ He Whakaputanga o te Rangatiratanga in 1835 (with 15% of respondents not at all aware of this)
- That the Waitangi Tribunal has made expert findings that Māori didn’t give up their sovereignty when they signed the Treaty / Te Tiriti (14% not at all aware)
- The tino rangatiratanga guaranteed in the Treaty / Te Tiriti closely aligns with the human right to self-determination (13% not at all aware)
- The fact that current checks and balances don’t stop Parliament from passing laws that breach human rights or Te Tiriti (13% not at all aware)
- The fact that around 500 Rangatira signed Te Tiriti, while 39 signed the English language Treaty (12% not at all aware).
Pee Kay writes he is from a generation where common sense, standards, integrity and honesty are fundamental attributes. This article was first published HERE
9 comments:
The white wash is complete. Nat. and Labour agree. Luxon and faithful hound, Goldsmith, are a disgrace - both are likely to have left before the impact of their biased policies is felt.
You're right, why do we allow these mischievous clowns to hoover up our taxes to push such bollocks?
This reminds me of the schooling Sir Humphrey (Yes, Minister) once gave Bernard about ensuring a survey produced the 'desired' results by manipulating and directing the questions.
If they're so sure of the public's position, why don't they push for some referendums? Then we'll really see what the public believe.
Well, at least I'd hope so - but then there is that growing cohort of stupidity amongst us.
Abolish the woke Human Rights Commission, they are fuelling racial division in NZ
The HRC has become the antithesis of what it was established to do. Abolishing it is the only solution.
I actually did this poll. I complained to them at the time that there was no way I could give an answer that aligned with my thoughts. It was completely dishonest and another reason the HRC needs closed down.
I certainly have no respect for the results of Horizon polls now.
Need to know the Treaty quiz details; the question wording, who and how offered to, how many rejected etc. Programmed maori/pro maori likely to respond and very predictably. Their responses, prompted by msm, RNZ and the propoganda of the insurrection movement, should be set aside. l suspect the majority of the rest are insufficently confident to answer. Maori all support Tribunal rulings without detailed knowledge of but no so most others. Very few know sufficent of detail to personally judge.Very few are familiar with detail tribunal rulings. I personally refuse all questionnaires as the answer options too simplistic and very time consuming to contemplate.
Michael Laws talked about this poll this morning on The Platform. There were no questions as such, just assertions of fact to which only a yes or no could be applied. Horizon clearly designed the poll to achieve the results Dayle Takitimu was seeking in his blatantly progressive “indigenous governance partner” role. Dayle has wasted taxpayer money on manufacturing biased rubbish. Horizon should be ashamed to be associated with such a project. As for the Human Rights Commission itself, there’s a “first world” institution if ever. I’d disband them. They are creating more problems than they solve - a waste of our time and money.
I am glad to see more commentators focusing on the make-up of the survey and its items. So many questionnaire items are 'loaded' (classic example: "I have stopped beating my wife" YES/NO) answering them at all ticks a box for the crowd/interest group conducting the survey.
What also needs good looking at is how the sample was selected. In public opinion polling this usually means we are effectively dealing with a self-selected sample. People who want their voices to be heard tend to present different opinions on social issues from those who do not want to participate. So we have a considerable bias built into the sample simply through who chooses to respond to the poll.
It is amusing from someone with my background to see professional commentators noting tiny increases and decreases in e.g. party preferences. Even if the sample was a good one and representative of the population as a whole (a rarity!), it remains a tiny proportion of that population and random fluxes will occur during sampling. Imagine a barrel containing many thousands of marbles, reds and blues and yellows. You dip your hand in and fish out 12 reds, 5 blues and 3 yellows. How confident are you that this is a true representation of the barrel as a whole? You take out another 20 and this time you get 11 reds. How confident would you be that the number of reds in the barrel has actually decreased?
Sampling and sample analysis are very challenging pursuits. You can do courses at postgraduate level in them. The mathematics involved is esoteric and presents the uninitiated with a dazzling array of Greek and other symbols and daunting formulae. Anyone can design and run and analyse a poll, it's not hard......... yeah, sure!
I ran a market research company for several years and we did the occasional political poll (mainly local government).
The standing joke was: “You tell me the answer you want and I’ll tell you what question to ask.”
We also found we could most closely match an election outcome when the voting intention question most closely matched the wording on the ballot paper - ie. candidates ordered alphabetically by surname.
Post a Comment
Thank you for joining the discussion. Breaking Views welcomes respectful contributions that enrich the debate. Please ensure your comments are not defamatory, derogatory or disruptive. We appreciate your cooperation.