1978 New Zealand Pre-election Survey: Dunedin North and Clutha

The New Zealand Pre-election Survey (Dunedin North and Clutha), 1978, was conducted during the fortnight preceding the general election of 25 November. It was part of a follow-up to the surveys conducted in 1975, but covered only two of the six electorates in the 1975 study. (A third electorate, Lyttelton, was also surveyed independently, with the 1978 survey being the third in a series). The main focus of the survey was 'personal voting'. The respondent was questioned as to his knowledge, contact with, and opinions of candidates standing in his electorate, interest in politics, and likes and dislikes of leaders of the major parties. His opinion about the probable outcome of the election at both a local and national level was sought, as was his perception of important issues at a local and national level. The respondent's political behaviour such as whether he had ever changed his vote, self-identification with a particular party, membership of political parties and participation in politics was investigated. Background variables include: duration of residence in the electorate, sex, further education after leaving school, occupation, spouse's occupation, age, religion, country of birth, self-assessment of class, and voting intention.