NZers think inequality is far worse than it really is

The Herald reports:

A new report shows New Zealanders have the wrong idea about the world around us.

The Perils of Perception survey shows New Zealand is the most ignorant developed country, with most people misunderstanding the facts that make up our country’s society.

The Ipsos-MORI poll showed inequality was one area where New Zealanders got it wrong. Kiwis hugely overestimated the proportion of wealth owned by the wealthiest 1 per cent in the country.

The average response on the percentage of wealth controlled by the wealthiest 1 per cent in New Zealand was 50 per cent. In reality, the wealthiest New Zealanders hold 18 per cent of the country’s wealth.

So thanks to the non stop coverage in the media, NZers think that 1% of NZers own 50% of the wealth – three times the actual level.

Most of the other countries believed the wealthiest 1 per cent should own a smaller proportion of the country’s wealth than they currently do, but New Zealand responded was opposite.

In contrast, when asked what percentage of wealth the wealthiest New Zealanders should hold, Kiwis answered 27 per cent, which is nearly 10 percentage points more than what they control currently.

Hilarious – the scare campaign has been so successful, that Kiwis think the top 1% should hold more wealth than they actually do!!!