Majority of New Zealand supports COVID-19 lockdown - research

An empty motorway in Wellington as the country stayed home under COVID-19 alert level 4.
An empty motorway in Wellington as the country stayed home under COVID-19 alert level 4. Photo credit: Newshub

More than 80 percent of people support the country's COVID-19 lockdown, according to new research from AUT.

The survey of 940 people was completed by the Care and Responsibility Under Lockdown (CARUL) group of academics and covers from August 18 to August 25 2021. It reveals a high level of support for the stringent COVID-19 alert level 4 conditions - and just 4 percent of those surveyed said they "strongly opposed" the lockdown.

Although the results are preliminary and have not yet been weighted to be fully representative of the general population it indicates general support for the restrictions.

It was the same story during last year's COVID-19 lockdown when Newshub asked New Zealanders if they supported the Government's decision - and the vast majority said yes they did.

An astonishing 91.6 percent said 'yes'. Just 6 percent said 'no' and 2.5 percent didn't know.

Cabinet is set to meet on Friday to decide whether some of New Zealand will change alert levels.

On Tuesday Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced all of the country would remain in alert level four for an additional four days, until 11:59pm Friday. Auckland will remain in level 4 until 11.59pm Tuesday, August 31.

Cabinet will meet on Friday to discuss New Zealand's August 2021 COVID-19 outbreak and to assess the national lockdown, excluding Auckland. Auckland's alert level settings will be reviewed next Monday.