search
Login

Recent NZAA survey results

This is a snapshot showing a range of survey results from surveys undertaken in 2023. It does not show all survey questions and answers.

Examples of the broad range of topics the AA surveys Members on:

Survey Month Region Topic
October 2023 Tauranga / Bay of Plenty Council Road Pricing Proposal
August 2023 New Zealand Media habits
August 2023 North Canterbury Woodend Bypass
July 2023 Auckland New Waitemata Harbour Crossing
June 2023 Wellington & Auckland 30km/h Speed Limits
May 2023 New Zealand Climate Change

Survey results:

AA Members are largely older, middle-of-the-road New Zealanders. They tend to be generous, but also conservative and comfortable with what they have. They are not well-versed in academic transport theories and prefer to trust their lived experience more than promises of change.

On climate change

Every election year since 2017 the AA has run a survey on climate change.

A graph illustrating the responses of AA survey members about how much they care about climate change
A graph illustrating the responses of AA survey members about how they feel about environmentalism

It appears that changing economic conditions have led to a reduced appetite for climate spending:

A graph illustrating the responses from AA survey members about how much effort should NZ make to reach its climate goals

How much more per month would you personally be willing to pay for fuel and food in the form of a tax for a general government climate change fund?

  • The following number line shows different means based on answers to other relevant questions.
  • The question used a slider which incremented in units of $5 up to a maximum of $60 per month.
  • Overall, the mean was $11.52 but the median value was $5, which obviously shows a strong skew by those more committed to climate change to pay more.
A graph illustrating the responses of AA survey members about how much per month they are willing to pay for fuel and food in the form of a tax for a general government climate change fund

On speed Limits

Aside from around schools, AA Members do not prefer 30km/h speed limits in urban areas. These results compare AA Wellington Members with national responses gathered by Kantar Research for Waka Kotahi.

A graph illustrating responses from AA survey members on speed limits in towns and cities
A graph illustrating responses from AA survey members on speed limits around schools in urban areas

On a second Waitemata Harbour Crossing

The Auckland Harbour bridge has been a critical transport asset since it was opened in 1959. The need for a second crossing has been obvious since the 1980s but when it is built it will be the most expensive transport project in the country.  But there has been much debate about what facilities the new crossing needs.

A graph illustrating responses from AA survey members about a new Waitemata Harbour Crossing and the facilities the new crossing needs

While many have discussed other options, a key consideration for AA Members is that a second Waitemata Harbour Crossing reduces traffic congestion:

A pie chart illustrating the responses from AA survey members about how important the new crossing will be in improving traffic congestion for peak period trips across Waitemata Harbour

On road pricing

In mid 2023 Tauranga District Council released a report into the scope for introducing a road pricing scheme around Tauranga.  The scheme used toll cameras at intersections to levy a toll to use existing roads at a cost of 15c per kilometre in addition to the 7c per kilometre equivalent fuel tax and road user charges. The scheme would require a change to the law to be possible. We sent surveys to members in the postcodes which would be affected by the scheme with 3,500 responses.

A graph illustrating responses from AA survey members about how they feel on road pricing concept

Members thought the scheme would have a depressing effect on house prices:

A graph illustrating responses from AA survey members about the effect of a road pricing network on property prices in the area

And the effect of the pricing scheme would be very different depending on the type of trip involved:

A graph illustrating responses from AA survey members about the effect of the road pricing scheme by trip type

Which shows that Tauranga would suffer from a drop in hospitality and shopping trips and that public transport and cycling (the alternatives) would not make much headway. This is probably because, like the local population, most respondents are relatively old.

More information

If you would like more detailed information about how the AA surveys our Members please > contact us.