Covid 19 Delta outbreak: New Zealanders worn down by lockdown, survey reveals

By RNZ

New Zealanders questioned in a Government-commissioned survey reported feeling worn down by lockdown, sad and worried about the impacts of Covid-19.

More than 800 people took part in the latest Sentiment and Behaviour surveys, carried out over 10 days in July and September.

"Neutral" and "sad" were the top two emotions people reported in September, compared to "neutral" and "joy" in July and May.

In September, 27 per cent of people reported they felt "sad" - up 12 percentage points from July.

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When asked why, 18 per cent said "lockdown fatigue"; in Auckland, that jumped to 35 per cent.

In July, 33 per cent of respondents thought their life was worse than before Covid-19. In September, this rose to 52 per cent.

Those who felt their life was worse were significantly more likely to be 55 and over (43 per cent) and significantly less likely to be under 35 (24 per cent).

The research reflected a difficult time for many. Photo / Dean Purcell

Overall in September about 70 per cent of people reported feeling the country was heading in the right direction with the Covid-19 response, a drop from 75 per cent in May when the country was at alert level 1. This figure stayed relatively stable throughout the survey period.

Not knowing when we will return to normal was one of the top five concerns in September, with 47 per cent of people citing it as a "top-of-mind impact" of Covid-19, up 14 percentage points since July.

Concerns also rose in September around the long-term impacts of Covid-19, including access to education, mental health impacts and the welfare of lower socio-economic areas.

Covid-19 Group deputy chief executive Cheryl Barnes said a constant challenge was the unknowns.

The September research reflected a difficult time for many, with alert level 4 restrictions in place in Auckland, the rest of New Zealand at alert level 2 after three weeks at higher alert levels, and with much uncertainty and concern around the Delta outbreak and the next steps, she said.