Dr James Kierstead, Geoff Neal: Politicians are disconnected from the people they represent

Like most of the developed world, we in New Zealand live – we like to think – in a representative democracy. Rather than directly voting on issues, we vote for politicians who represent us in Parliament and in local councils. These politicians are responsive to our views, and if they’re not, we can kick them out at the next election and vote in another set of politicians who are.

Geoff Neal: Massive 323 Manurewa Marae margin in tight 42 vote win

Based on the Electoral Commission’s Official Result for the Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) Māori seat in the 2023 General Election

Geoff Neal: Of ‘The Facts’ Obliterates Biased Racist Mainstream Media

Geoff’s factual reporting of important issues effecting all New Zealanders, not only offers the best statistical evidence available in the country, his data leaves the corrupt, racist, bribed and biased mainstream media for dead.

Centrist: Geoff Neal of The Facts delivers data showing public division over the Treaty debate

New Zealand’s ongoing debate over the Treaty of Waitangi has exposed deep divisions, with polling suggesting strong public support for ACT’s Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill, despite opposition from political parties and media coverage.

Data presented by market researcher Geoff Neal of The Facts to Parliament’s Justice Committee showed that most Kiwis feel the country is becoming more divided.

Centrist: NZ election inquiry: submissions on voter fairness and electoral reform

Market researcher Geoff Neal of The Facts’ submission to the NZ Justice Select Committee on the 2023 General Election has gone viral online.

Neal tackled several electoral issues, including concerns about media bias, voting processes, and political advertising. His analysis pointed to systemic flaws impacting voter trust and election outcomes.

Geoff Neal: Geoff Neal: No org’ trusted by 50% of Kiwis on Treaty information (media & politicians under 10%)

Based on this research by Horizon and commissioned by the Human Rights Commission:

* No organisation is trusted by more than 50% of the population to provide accurate information on the Treaty/Te Tiriti.

* MPs at 7% and News media at 6% are trusted less than Advocacy/activist groups or organisations at 10%, and only slightly more than social media at 5% 

* Political parties are trusted by 4%

Geoff Neal: Drinking water quality didn’t noticeably decline for any of the 12 years measured. Were we lied to?

KEY INSIGHTS

The Department of Internal Affairs’ advertisements showed green slime coming out of taps

The campaign was a finalist in the ‘2021 Best Design Awards’.

The truth is that New Zealand’s drinking water quality didn’t noticeably decline for any of the 12 years that it was measured from 2009 to 2021, even under the tougher 2018 Standards.

Geoff Neal: No new party has entered our MMP parliament without a sitting or previous MP

108 parties have missed out

KEY INSIGHTS

All 6 parties that have entered New Zealand parliament for the first time under MMP had a sitting or previous MP