Newshub poll: Majority support National's pension age increase

Bill English's plan to raise the retirement age to 67 has been given a big tick in the latest Newshub-Reid Research poll.

More than 52 percent agree with the policy, which would take effect by the year 2040. Nearly 42 percent disagree with the proposal.

The Prime Minister says the poll result is an endorsement of the policy, and claims it shows Labour and the Greens are out of touch on the issue of superannuation.

"I think it's a pretty reasonable reflection of public opinion and I think support is growing for it," he says.

"The other parties haven't really put up alternative, responsible propositions that take account of New Zealand's long-term future," says Mr English.

Newshub poll: Majority support National's pension age increase

Labour leader Andrew Little says "c'est la vie" to the figures, and is maintaining his vehement opposition to tinkering with superannuation.

"I stand with New Zealanders who are working very hard and for whom the idea of another two years work is just too much to bear and they shouldn't be put in that position," he says.

"I'm backing them 100 percent," says Mr Little.

Green Party co-leader James Shaw has come out firing at the result, saying it shows National has successfully tricked Kiwis into thinking it's being responsible with superannuation.

"It was designed to kick the problem so far into the future that it made it look as if they were doing something about it, without actually doing something about it," he said.

"This is something National has been doing for a long time, including when John Key was Prime Minister, which is making big flashy announcements, when they're really just kicking the can down the road."

The Newshub-Reid Research poll was conducted March 10-19. 1000 people were surveyed, 750 by telephone and 250 by internet panel. It has a margin of error of 3.1%.

Newshub.