What, me worried?
Dunedin residents are significantly less worried than
other New Zealanders about crime, commuting time to work, and
the possibility of a natural disaster, a new survey says.
The Southern Cross Healthcare Group surveyed 2000 New
Zealanders nationwide, asking them if they were worried
about, not worried, or in between, on 11 topical issues
affecting New Zealand at the moment.
Dunedin residents were found to be a contented bunch, having
significantly fewer worries than the average New Zealander.
People from Hamilton were found to have 8% more worries than
the average Kiwi, making the city the most worried in New
Zealand - even more worried than people from Christchurch,
who were found to have on average 5% more worries than the
typical New Zealander.
Dunedin people are not completely worry-free. Insurance costs
topped their list of worries, with 53% saying rising home and
contents insurance premiums were of concern.
The next biggest concern was leadership of the country (52%
of people worried) and rising crime rates (46%).
Being able to retire comfortably was the fourth biggest
concern, with 45% of Dunedin residents worried about this.
Dunedin people also harboured health-related worries, 42%
saying they were worried about their family's health and 32%
about their own health.
Southern Cross Healthcare Group chief executive Ian McPherson
said concern over the ability to retire comfortably would
become more prominent in years to come.
"The ageing population is presenting some significant funding
challenges for New Zealand.
"It's very likely the share of personal responsibility we
will have to take for costs in retirement, such as for
elective healthcare, will grow.
"So as a nation, we need to start talking about how to
support people to best make provision."
Mr McPherson said the same survey was done in May 2011 and
found Christchurch people were the most worried New
Zealanders.
However, this year it was retired people who topped the list,
having on average 13% more worries than the typical New
Zealander.
john.lewis@odt.co.nz
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