One small bit of the darkness: respondents were asked a few quiz questions assessing how well they understand a few basics. Here's the set from 2008, including a new one on Treasury. Correct answers are in bold type.
Question | True | False | "Don't Know" |
The term of Parliament is four years | 19% | 78% | 3% |
Enrolling as a voter in New Zealand is compulsory. | 65% | 30% | 5% |
It is not necessary to be a New Zealand Citizen to be eligible to vote in New Zealand | 28% | 58% | 14% |
Interest rates in New Zealand are set by the Treasury | 42% | 37% | 22% |
New Zealand is a member of the World Trade Organization | 81% | 2% | 17% |
Maybe this answers Matt Nolan's question about why the #OWS folks protested outside of the wrong agency. They may simply confused about who is responsible for what.
88% of respondents agreed it is a citizen's duty to vote.
The 63% who did not know who sets interest rates in New Zealand ought to read Brennan's argument that those choosing to vote have a duty to vote well.