Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is set to address a dire poll showing Labour is trusted by more voters to manage the country’s top issues over National.

The latest Ipsos Issues Monitor survey, released this morning, had Labour considered the most capable party on 15 of the country’s top 20 issues.

They included the cost of living, the economy, health, housing and unemployment. National was considered more capable on just two issues: crime and defence/foreign affairs.

Luxon is set to be asked about the poll during his post-Cabinet press conference from 4pm. A livestream will be played at the top of this article.

This morning’s poll, first reported by RNZ and conducted between October 21 and 30, asked 1004 New Zealanders what were the top three most important issues facing the country today, and which party was best able to manage them.

PM Christopher Luxon's Government received a low rating in the survey. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Cost of living maintained its position as the top-rated issue. Labour increased its lead over National on the cost of living, 36% of respondents trusting Labour over 24% backing National.

Healthcare decreased two points but remains the second-highest concern, with Labour also increasing its lead over National on that issue - 40% of New Zealanders rating it most able, compared to National’s 21%. Healthcare remained the top concern for those aged 65 and up.

The poll also measured people’s rating of the Government, which came in at the lowest level since the survey began in September 2017, Luxon’s Government given a 3.9 out of 10.

About 45% of respondents gave a rating between 0 and 3, another 3% gave a rating of 4-6, while 23% gave 7-10, and 2% said they didn’t know.

The Government dipped to 4.2 in the February survey, hovering around the same level in May and August.

The government performance rating was polled between November 5-10.

Results for the survey are weighted by age, gender and region, and the survey has a maximum margin of error of +/-3.1% at a 95% confidence level.

Govt rushes urgent changes to Clean Vehicle Standard

Also during today’s press conference, Luxon and Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced urgent changes to the Clean Vehicle Standard in the hope they avoid more than $250 million being passed on to people purchasing cars.

The standard, also known as the Clean Car Standard, was introduced in 2023 and imposes annual CO₂ targets for vehicle importers, who must balance higher-emitting models with enough low-emission vehicles to meet their overall target.

Importers faced charges if they fell short but earned credits if they exceeded it.

Bishop acknowledged the standard had lifted fuel efficiency but explained there was a shortage of cleaner used vehicles and demand for electric vehicles had dropped.

“Most importers are now unable to meet the passenger-vehicle targets. In fact, right now, 86% of importers are facing a net charge rather than net savings from credits,” he said.

“The scheme is so out-of-whack with reality that even some hybrid vehicles will attract charges rather than credits.”

The proposed changes included cutting the top rate for new vehicles from $67.50 to $15 per gram of CO₂ and the top rate for used vehicles from $33.75 to $7.50 for 2026 and 2027.

The Government would also ensure any credits wouldn’t expire before December 2028. A review would also be launched with recommendations given to Cabinet by June 2026.

“In total, it is estimated that the changes will avoid $264 million in net charges that could have been passed onto consumers through higher vehicle prices,” Bishop said.

The changes would be introduced into law by the end of the week through amendments to the Land Transport Amendment Bill which has just come back from select committee.

Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.