Nearly half of New Zealanders say government policies increasing racial tensions, poll finds

1News Verian poll comes amid growing concern the coalition's policy direction will wind back Mori rights

Nearly half of New Zealanders believe the government's policies have increased racial tensions, new polling shows, as pressure mounts on the government over policy changes that many fear will undermine Mori rights.

The 1News Verian poll released on Monday found 46% of voters believed racial tensions have worsened as a result of the coalition's policies, while 37% said there had been no difference and 10% thought tensions had reduced. Another 7% of respondents said they didn't know or preferred not to comment.