Kiwis split on Kim Dotcom, but united in verdict on John Banks - poll
New Zealanders are split on Kim Dotcom but are highly negative towards John Banks, according to a UMR Research poll released today.
UMR’s fortnightly Omnibus survey shows:
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38% of New Zealanders polled have favourable opinions of Kim Dotcom, while 36% view him unfavourably. 24% have no opinion of the controversial internet millionaire, while 2% claim never to have heard of him. There is a clear gender difference, 50% of men have favourable opinions of Kim Dotcom, compared with just 27% of women.
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Just 14% of New Zealanders polled view John Banks favourably, with 71% viewing him unfavourably. 13% are unsure and 2% say they have never heard of him. By comparison, in December 2011 his favourability rating was 27% favourable 56% unfavourable.
- Dotcom is clearly more popular than Banks even in Banks’ home area of Auckland. 43% of Aucklanders have favourable opinions of Kim Dotcom, while 17% of Aucklanders view John Banks favourably.
Mr Banks ran into political trouble after Kim Dotcom claimed the (then) mayoral candidate had solicited a $50,000 donation, and suggested he split the amount into two cheques. In his electoral return, Mr Banks said the donation was anonymous.
Since he broke cover with the July 25 "swim at Kim's," Mr Dotcom has been on a wide-ranging PR campaign, appearing at a number of public events, and pushing his cause through social media. Photos of guns and antics have been replaced by pictures of the German millionaire and his family.
Third most unpopular in UMR ratings history
UMR has been tracking favourability ratings for the leaders of almost all parliamentary parties since 1996. The only two party leaders to have ever recorded worse ratings than Mr Banks’ current rating are Winston Peters (in 1997) and Tau Henare (in 1999, when he was leader of Mauri Pacific), both at times when they too were accused of cynically manipulating the electoral system.
UMR Research Director Gavin White said “the numbers show that New Zealanders take a dim view of politicians who they see as cynically manipulating the electoral system for their own ends. The tea-tape fiasco and controversy about so-called anonymous donations to the 2010 mayoral campaign have clearly painted John Banks in this light.”
The UMR Research nationwide Omnibus survey was conducted 27th September to 2nd October. It has a nationally representative sample of 750 New Zealanders 18 years and over. The margin of error for a 50% figure at the ‘95% confidence level’ is +/- 3.6%.
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Comments and questions14
Of 36 % who view Kim Dotcom unfavourably it would be interesting to know what percentage have ever heard of or use the internet.
An interesting poll question; Do you view UMR polls favourably? unfavourably? or , couldn't give a fat rat's ass?
We say arse in NZ. Where R u from?
Southland. now Nelson. I've been practising dropping my r's, do please excuse me.
And Key's in bed in Banks.What political infection will Key get, or has he already got it?
Stupid comment it the pole was taken over the web...
Pretty interesting that Kim has such a split rating, I would have thought he would be around Banks rating figures.
Lucky with so many dirty dealings in the Government (John Key bending over for the US - that free trade, right?) Kim has almost come out on top if he didn't have so much dirt on the current government then we would have already sent his ass off to the US. Which is where the MPAA/Courts would rip him to pieces.
Should be interesting how it turns out, considering this seriously affects the internet (Privacy, laws, etc) and even better reflects really badly on the US(and lobby group MPAA) and even our current government's policys/dealings.
Thankfully Kim has almost ensured John Key will only be a one term wonder! Too bad too, I was enjoying his ghost jobs.
Enjoy the internet kids, if Kim looses his battle it will change the internet for the worse.
I don't think so Internet Warrior. Anonymous (hactivists) are watching this closely. Hopefully they will DESTROY HOLLYWOOD. No one owns the Internet, No one ever has, and No one ever will.
Given John Key is already in his second term I think your comments demonstrate how (NOT) up with the political play you are.
I wonder if Mike Tyson has made a donation to John banks yet?
It is well known in political circles that UMR are Labour's pollsters, and so no surprise they would include such questions in their Omnibus poll (at whose suggestion?). This whole thing about Banks and Dotcom was raised by a Police complaint by Labour muckraker Trevor Mallard, who lives in Wellington (not Auckland). It would never have been raised if Banks had not become critical to the National lead coalition government, It all occurred before Banks joined ACT or became the ACT MP for Epsom. It has nothing to do with ACT, but is being used by the left wing in national politics to try and discredit a right wing party they don't like. We need to see it for what it is. A left wing political beat up designed to get a Labour/Greens coalition government into power in 2014, with higher tax rates on successful Kiwis; a capital gains tax (which will be much wider that people think - shares, farms, businesses etc, and not just investment properties; a ban on minerals or oil exploration; a reduction in dairying activity; limits on borrowing for housing; means testing for NZ Super; and printing money that will lead to rampant inflation and increased living costs. ACT is all that stands between this and the current steady progress being made by National to bring about a better future for Kiwis who are prepared to work for their future and a better country in which to live. If we are concerned by the number of Kiwis going to Oz under the current economic situation, it will be nothing compered to the flood that would occur under a Labour/Greens government.
Absolutely correct.
Now tell me how/what we can do to resurrect ACT with out the blardy show ponies that made up the original ACT caucus and have the party stick with policy based on the truth, with perfect neutrality between all races and religion, also perfect sector neutrality between all legal human endeavours.
i.e.. where Gov. decrees/regulations fall equally on all the Gov.s subjects?
Cheers
Seems about right.
A C T is toast in epsom, bring in new blood Not banks.