MMP opinion mixed

Kiwis are split in their support for MMP, according to a new online survey, and 53 per cent supported a referendum on the voting system's future.

The ShapeNZ survey quizzed 2872 respondents, weighted to reflect the population, after budget announcements. Forty per cent agreed with MMP (mixed member proportional representation), while 42 per cent opposed it and 18 per cent were undecided.

More people thought MMP hadn't worked well to date (46 per cent) than those who were satisfied with its performance (39 per cent).

Support for MMP was strongest in Labour and Green voters. People who voted for National in 2005 were almost twice as likely to find fault with MMP than Labour supporters.