By Political Editor Duncan Garner
A special 3 News Reid Research poll of the Government's progress shows voters think it's failing in three out of four crucial areas.
But it's the lack of progress on the jobs front and in our schools that has most people worried. So has Prime Minister John Key's brighter future arrived?
He's promised it for four years. We asked 1000 voters four questions.
The first question: Do you agree National has done a good job in terms of building a brighter future?
- 49 percent said no;
- 46 percent said yes;
- 5 percent did not know.
Mr Key says those figures are actually a success.
“I think relative to the conditions we have faced I would think a lot of New Zealanders would say we are on the right track.”
But Labour MP David Cunliffe says it doesn’t really seem like a success.
“Incomes are down for most people - it's going backwards and it's not good enough.”
The second question: Has National helped with full employment?
- 57 percent said no;
- 36 percent said yes;
- 7 percent did not know.
Voters made it clear they wanted National to spend money on saving jobs.
“We're doing okay, but I accept people want us to go faster,” Mr Key says.
National's botched education reforms this year haven't gone unnoticed by voters. Education Minister Hekia Parata said the reforms were not cuts, but "about quality” .
“Yeah right,” parents said, and they continue to speak out.
The third question: Is the Government providing the best school system for our children?
- 58 percent said no;
- 32 percent said yes;
- 9 percent did not know.
But Mr Key thinks it is the parents who have a problem.
“My read of that is that expectations that parents have for their schools is much higher than what even politicians think.”
The fourth question: Are our Government departments run efficiently?
- 49 percent said yes;
- 42 percent said no.
3 News asked the Prime Minister how he rates himself and his Government.
“In the end it is not for me to offer a view on that,” he says.
None of these numbers make easy reading for the Prime Minister. Sure there's been a recession, and massive earthquakes in Christchurch, but on jobs and education Mr Key needs to improve.
Voters want the Government to do better.
3 News