2026 Perceptions of Asia survey surprises
New Zealanders are shifting how they view the world, with Asia emerging a focus of economic, political, and security thinking.
New survey data released by the Asia New Zealand Foundation indicates that public attitudes are evolving in response to geopolitical uncertainty, economic interdependence, and changing regional dynamics.
“The Perceptions of Asia survey has consistently tracked public opinion and knowledge about Asia since 1997,” said the Foundation’s chief executive Suzannah Jessep. “The findings have demonstrated a positive correlation between Kiwis understanding Asia and having confidence to engage and invest in the region.”
The research, published in early June, reveals a growing recognition that New Zealand’s future is increasingly tied to Asia. A majority of respondents now see the region as critical to the country’s prosperity, reflecting longstanding trade patterns but also a deeper awareness of Asia’s strategic weight.
However, the data also reveals a more complex and, at times, ambivalent public sentiment. While economic ties are widely acknowledged as beneficial, there is increasing caution about the political and security implications of deeper engagement.
“… the survey indicated that concern about conventional military conflict in Asia has actually fallen. Fake news and misinformation along with climate change were the top threats were of particularly high concern.“
Concerns about geopolitical tensions—particularly involving major powers such as China and the United States—are shaping public perceptions. New Zealanders appear more conscious of the risks associated with great-power competition in the Indo-Pacific, even if they do not uniformly agree on how the country should respond.
Interestingly, the 2026 edition found that New Zealanders are more likely to view China as a friend (43%) than the US (39%) – a turnaround from the previous year. Ranking higher than China as ‘friendly countries’ were Japan, Singapore, Philippines, South Korea, and India.
In late 2024, the survey showed 61% of New Zealanders viewed the US as a friend, with only 17% seeing it as a threat.
North Korea ranked highest as a ‘threatening country’ in this year’s survey, followed by Russia, the US, Pakistan, and then China.
“New Zealanders have a wariness about the big powers, that’s a given, and this data is showing New Zealanders are responding to real-world events and their implications for us and our region, and it also shows a Kiwi public that’s engaged with international developments,” said Foundation research and engagement director Dr Julia Macdonald.
In terms of the threats New Zealanders perceive, the survey indicated that concern about conventional military conflict in Asia has actually fallen. Fake news and misinformation along with climate change were the top threats were of particularly high concern.
“New Zealand is geographically remote from the flashpoints in the Indo-Pacific – the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, Korean Peninsula, said Dr Macdonald.
“The survey data consistently shows New Zealanders want stronger Asia engagement and are aware of regional tensions, but that awareness doesn’t translate into personal fear of being caught up in conflict.”
