As members of an academic advisory panel, Professor Jack Vowles from the School of History, Philosophy, Political Science and International Relations, and Dr Maria Bargh from Māori Studies helped develop the survey questions.
Working with TVNZ and political scientists at the University of Auckland, and with the help of several research assistants, they identified key election issues, based on an analysis of the party platforms, leading news sources and public input via social media. They drew on research of available documents, speeches and other official sources related to election issues, and political parties were also consulted directly.
Vote Compass indicates how a respondent’s views match with the different parties on questions related to issues such as the economy, education, health, the environment and taxation.
Professor Vowles describes Vote Compass as an extremely powerful tool.
“We hope its availability and use will enhance voter engagement with the election. It draws greater attention to some of the most important choices that we can make, by voting, to shape future government decisions that affect us all, both individually and collectively.”
Dr Bargh hopes the tool will encourage people to give greater consideration to the different policies that political parties offer.
“We all lead really busy lives and when elections come around there aren't many people who would have time to print out every political party's manifesto or policy platform and examine it to see which one most aligns with their thinking,” she says.
“The media can also often be distracted with the personalities of, or arguments between, politicians rather than policy, which leaves many people a little confused. Vote Compass provides something of a shortcut for people to work out which political party most relates to their views.”
ONE News will report the data generated by Vote Compass as part of its election coverage, and the data will be made available to researchers after the election.
The eight parties participating in Vote Compass are National, Labour, Green Party, New Zealand First, Maori Party, Mana, Act and United Future. Vote Compass is co-sponsored by Victoria University, the Electoral Commission and the University of Auckland and hosted by TVNZ.