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Part A: Survey questionnaire

Household sustainability MONITOR (15-20 minutes MAX.)

Research New Zealand #3761
Date: September 2008

Good morning/afternoon/evening, my name is ^I from Research New Zealand. We are conducting research for the Ministry for the Environment. You may recall receiving a letter about this recently. IF NECESSARY: The letter was addressed to ^2

The research takes about 15 to 20 minutes, but to make sure that we get a good mix of males and females, can you tell me if there any males in your household aged 15 years and over? IF YES: Could you please tell me the name of the male in your household with the next birthday, and may I speak with him please?

IF NO MALES, ASK:
Could you please tell me the name of the female in your household with the next birthday, and may I speak with her?

IF PERSON NOT AVAILABLE, ASK:
When would be a good time for me to call back to speak to him/her?

Make appointment

REINTRODUCE AS NECESSARY

Good morning/afternoon/evening, my name is ^I from Research New Zealand. We are conducting research on behalf of the Ministry for the Environment. This research takes about 15 to 20 minutes. When would suit, or is now a good time?

Background information only if needed:

  • This is genuine market research. I’m not selling anything.

  • The survey is about the importance people place on taking care of the environment, the types of things they are doing to care for the environment, how much they know about the topic, and whether or not they’re actually interested in finding out more about what they could do.

  • The reason we ask for males first is that women are much more willing to participate in research and we find that at the end of the project we spend a lot of time trying to get enough men to meet our quotas. We find if we ask for a male in the household first then this doesn’t happen so much.

  • Information provided is confidential. We report summary results about groups; we do not identify which individuals have said what.

Read

As part of our quality improvement process, my Supervisor may listen to this call.

GEN Code respondent’s sex – ***DO NOT READ AS QUESTION***

1 Male
2 Female

Section 1: Demographic questions

Q1 I’d like to begin by asking you some questions about yourself and the household you live in. Which of the following age groups do you come into?

1. 15–19
2. 20–29
3. 30–39
4. 40–49
5. 50–59
6. 60+
99. Refused ** DO NOT READ **

 

Q2 And which of the following best describes your household? READ

1 Young couple without children
2 Family household with youngest child under 5
3 Family household with youngest child 5 to 15
4 Family household with youngest child over 15
5 Older couple – no children or none living at home
6 Single/one person household
7 Flat/shared household – not a family household
96 Other specify *** DO NOT READ ***
98 Don’t know *** DO NOT READ ***
99 Refused *** DO NOT READ ***

 

Q3 Do you or your family own the home you live in, or are you renting?

1 Home owner
2 Family (parents) own home
3 Renting/flatting
99 Refused

 

Q4 Do you have a garden?

1 Yes
2 No
99 Refused

Section 2: Attitudes to climate change

Q5 Thinking now about the environment and climate change, how much would you say you know about the following terms? Would you say that you know a lot, a fair amount, just a little, or nothing about … READ.

  A lot A fair amount Neutral Just a little Nothing-know the name only Nothing-never heard of it Don’t know Refused
a. Climate change 1 2 3 4 5 6 98 99
b. Global warming 1 2 3 4 5 6 98 99
c. Carbon footprint 1 2 3 4 5 6 98 99
d. CO2 or carbon dioxide emissions 1 2 3 4 5 6 98 99
e. Carbon offsetting 1 2 3 4 5 6 98 99

 

Q6 And how much do you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about the environment? READ. PROBE: is that strongly agree/disagree or just agree/disagree?

  Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree Don’t know Refused
a. The Earth has very limited room and resources 1 2 3 4 5 98 99
b. If things continue on their current course, we will soon experience a major environmental disaster 1 2 3 4 5 98 99
c. We are close to the limit of the number of people the Earth can support 1 2 3 4 5 98 99
d. The so-called ‘environmental crisis’ facing humanity has been greatly exaggerated 1 2 3 4 5 98 99
e. It’s not worth New Zealand trying to combat climate change because other countries will just cancel out what we do 1 2 3 4 5 98 99
f. We produce and consume far more than we really need to 1 2 3 4 5 98 99
g. Water is a limited resource and we shouldn’t waste it 1 2 3 4 5 98 99
h. New Zealand’s households generate too much rubbish and waste 1 2 3 4 5 98 99

 

Q7 How urgent would you say it is to take steps to take care of the environment? Would you say it is … READ.

1 Not at all urgent
2 Somewhat urgent
3 Very urgent
98 Don’t know ***DO NOT READ***

 

Q8 Who do you believe is responsible for doing something about this? DO NOT READ

Q8a Any others? CODE MANY

  Q8 First mentioned Q8a Others mentioned
a. The international community (all countries in the world) 1 1
b. The New Zealand Government 2 2
c. Regional/local councils 3 3
d. Farmers 4 4
e. Fishing industry 5 5
f. All business and industry in New Zealand in general 6 6
g. All New Zealanders/Everyone 7 GO TO Q10 7
h. Other Specify ***DO NOT READ*** 96 96
i. Don’t know 98; Q9 98;

Q9 IF “ALL NEW ZEALANDERS/EVERYONE” NOT MENTIONED IN Q8 or 8a, ASK Q9. OTHERWISE GO TO Q10

And what about ordinary New Zealanders like yourself?

1 Yes
2 No
98 Don’t know

Section 3: Personal attitudes

Q10 Thinking now about people’s attitudes to taking care of the environment, can you tell me how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about this? READ. PROBE: is that strongly agree/disagree or just agree/disagree?

  Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree Don’t know Refused
a. It’s only worth doing environmentally-friendly things if they save you money 1 2 3 4 5 98 99
b. The effects of climate change are too far in the future to really worry me 1 2 3 4 5 98 99
c. It’s not worth me doing things to help the environment if others don’t do the same 1 2 3 4 5 98 99
d. It would embarrass me if my friends thought my lifestyle was purposefully environmentally-friendly 1 2 3 4 5 98 99
e. I find it hard to change my habits to be more environmentally-friendly 1 2 3 4 5 98 99
f. I don’t pay much attention to the amount of water I use at home 1 2 3 4 5 98 99
g. People have a duty to recycle 1 2 3 4 5 98 99
h. I don’t really give much thought to saving energy in my home 1 2 3 4 5 98 99

Q11 So which of these would you say best describes your current lifestyle in relation to the environment? Read.

1 I don’t really do anything that is environmentally friendly
2 I do one or two things that are environmentally friendly
3 I do quite a few things that are environmentally friendly
4 Most things I do are environmentally friendly
5 Everything I do is environmentally friendly
98 Don’t know ***DO NOT READ***

 

Q12 And which of the following best describes how you feel about this? Read.

1 I’m happy with what I do at the moment
2 I’d like to do a bit more to help the environment
3 I’d like to do a lot more to help the environment
98 Don’t know ***DO NOT READ***

Section 4: Personal behaviours – general energy use

Q13 Thinking now about your household’s general energy use. Which of these things have you got in your home? READ. CODE MANY

1 Heat-saving wrap around your electric hot water cylinder and pipes
2. Insulation in the ceiling
3 Insulation under the floor
4 Thermal drapes or curtains
5 Draught-proofing around doors and windows
6 Clean and efficient heating appliances such as heat pumps or wood pellet burners
97 None ***DO NOT READ***

 

Q14 If haven’t got in home: And which would you be willing to do? READ. CODE MANY

1 Put heat-saving wrap around your electric hot water cylinder and pipes
2. Put insulation in the ceiling
3 Put insulation under the floor
4 Install thermal drapes or curtains
5 Install draught-proofing around doors and windows
6 Install clean and efficient heating appliances such as heat pumps or wood pellet burners
97 None ***DO NOT READ***

Section 5: Personal behaviours – water

Q15 The next questions I have are about your household’s use of water at home. Which of these things do you already have in your home or do you currently do on a regular basis? READ. CODE MANY

1 Only do full loads of washing
2 Have no more than one 3- to 5- minute shower a day
3 Replace your shower head with one that is more water efficient
4 When buying a new toilet, choose one that is water efficient
5 When buying a new washing machine, choose one that is water efficient
6 Install a rainwater tank for outside use
7 Reduce the volume of water in your existing toilet tank (by putting a solid object such as a bottle of water in the tank to reduce its volume)
99 None ***DO NOT READ***

 

Q16 If do not currently do, or already have in home: And which of these would you be willing to do? READ. CODE MANY

1 Only do full loads of washing
2 Have no more than one 3- to 5- minute shower a day
3 Replace your shower head with one that is more water efficient
4 When buying a new toilet, choose one that is water efficient
5 When buying a new washing machine, choose one that is water efficient
6 Install a rainwater tank for outside use
7 Reduce the volume of water in your existing toilet tank (by putting a solid object such as a bottle of water in the tank to reduce its volume)
97 None ***DO NOT READ***

Section 6: Personal behaviours - waste

Q17 Now I’d like to ask you about household waste. Which of these things do you make a point of doing currently on a regular basis? READ CODE MANY

1 Plan what you buy, cook and eat to avoid wasting food (even small amounts)
2. Compost garden rubbish and kitchen scraps at home
3 Have a worm farm


97 None ***DO NOT READ***

Q18 If do not currently do: And which would you be willing to do? READ CODE MANY

1 Plan what you buy, cook and eat to avoid wasting food (even small amounts)
2. Compost garden rubbish and kitchen scraps at home
3 Have a worm farm
97 None ***DO NOT READ***

Section 7: Personal behaviours – electrical waste

Q19 The next few questions I have are about the electrical products you have in your home. Which of these things would you say you currently do or have done? READ CODE MANY

1 Use rechargeable batteries
2 Recycle your unwanted computer printer
3 Recycle your unwanted mobile phone
4. Choose electronic or electrical products that are high quality and able to be repaired
5. Choose electronic or electrical products that are made with fewer toxic materials (such as lead-free solder or mercury-free back lighting)
99 None ***DO NOT READ***

 

Q20 If do not currently do, or have not done: And which would you be willing to do? READ CODE MANY

1 Use rechargeable batteries
2 Recycle your unwanted computer printer
3 Recycle your unwanted mobile phone
4. Choose electronic or electrical products that are high quality and able to be repaired
5. Choose electronic or electrical products that are made with fewer toxic materials (such as lead-free solder or mercury-free back lighting)
99 None ***DO NOT READ***

 

Q21 Now thinking about when you purchase any type of goods or services. How much would you say you take into account whether they have been made and can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way? Would you say … READ

1 You never take this into account
2 Hardly ever
3 Sometimes
4 Most of the time
5 Every time
98 Don’t know ** DO NOT READ **
99 Refused

Section 8: Personal behaviours – transportation

Q22 Do you own or have the use of a motor vehicle?

1 Yes
2 No

 

Q23 If “no” code in Q22 go to Q27, otherwise: And which, if any of these, do you make a point of doing while driving your motor vehicle? READ. CODE MANY

1 Drive smoothly or moderately so you don’t use much fuel
2 Maintain your motor vehicle so you don’t use much fuel
3 Remove things like roof racks, bike racks and ski boxes when not in use
99 None ***DO NOT READ***

 

Q24 If do not currently do, or have not done: And which would you be willing to do? READ. CODE MANY

1 Drive smoothly or moderately so you don’t use so much fuel
2 Maintain your motor vehicle so you don’t use as much fuel
3 Remove things like roof racks, bike racks and ski boxes when not in use

 

Q25 If you currently work, do you mostly travel to work …? READ

1 Driving your motor vehicle with no passengers
2 Or by public transport
3 By car pooling or sharing a ride
4 By cycling or walking
5 Not applicable (work from home)
6 Not applicable (do not work)
99 None ***DO NOT READ***

 

Q26 If “mostly travel to work using own motor vehicle”: And which of these would you be willing to do instead of driving to work in your motor vehicle? READ. CODE MANY

1 Use public transport
2 Car pool or share a ride with others
3 Cycle or walk
99 None ***DO NOT READ***

 

Q27 Can you tell me how much you agree or disagree with each of the following statements? READ.

  Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree Don’t know Refused
a. I would only travel by bus if I had no other choice 1 2 3 4 5 98 99
b. People who fly should bear the cost of the environmental damage that air travel causes 1 2 3 4 5 98 99
c. For the sake of the environment, car users should pay higher taxes 1 2 3 4 5 98 99

Q28 Have you built a new home or completed a major renovation in the last 2 years?

1 Yes – built a home
2 Yes – renovated a home
3 No, did not build or renovate in the last 2 years

 

98 Don’t know ***DO NOT READ***

Q29 If 1 or 2 in Q28 ask, else go to Q30. To what extent did you take into account the sustainability of products, services, and home features when building and renovating? READ

1 Not at all
2 For some things
3 For most things
4 For everything
98 Don’t know *** DO NOT READ ***
99 Refused

Section 9: Degree of informedness/interest in becoming sustainable

Q30 If 1 or 98 coded at Q11, go to Q31, otherwise: You mentioned before that [answer from Q11]. How have you mainly found out about doing these things?

Q30a Anything else?

  Q30 First mentioned Q30a Others mentioned.
a. The media (e.g. articles and stories on television, in the newspaper or magazines) 1 1
b. Information from local council (e.g. with rates bill) 2 2
c. Information from manufacturers and retailers (e.g. product advertising) 3 3
d. Scientific research organisations 4 4
e. Consumer organisations 5 5
f. Environmental groups 6 6
g. Community groups 7 7
h. Home & garden shows 8 8
i. www.sustainability.govt.nz 9 9
j. Other websites 10 10
k. Friends and family 11 11
l. Trades people (builders, plumbers, electricians, architects, etc.) 12 12
m. Other Specify 96 96
n. Don’t know/can’t remember 98; Q12 98;

Q31 If WWW.SUSTAINABILITY.GOVT.NZ not mentioned in Q30 or 30a: Have you ever visited a website called, www.sustainability.govt.nz?

1 Yes
2 No
3 No, not aware it exists
98 Don’t know ***DO NOT READ***
99 Refused

 

Q32 And how informed would you say you currently are about the things you can do to help care for the environment? Would you say you are…? READ

1 Very informed
2 Somewhat informed
3 Not at all informed
98 Don’t know ***DO NOT READ***
99 Refused

 

Q33 Which of the following best describes your interest in learning more about what you could do to care for the environment? READ

1 I’m not particularly interested in the topic
2 I’d like to learn more about what I could do
3 I actively look for information on what I could do to care for the environment and to share it with others
98 Don’t know ***DO NOT READ***

Section 10: Demographic information

These last few questions are to make sure we have interviewed a good cross-section of people.

Q34 Which if any of the following types of organisations or groups do you belong to? READ CODE MANY

1 An environmental group
2 A Rotary or other service club
3 Parents group
4 A church group
96 Other Specify ***DO NOT READ***
97 None ***DO NOT READ***
99 Refused ***DO NOT READ***

Q35 And which of these best describes your highest educational qualification? READ

1 NCEA, School Certificate, or other secondary school qualification
2 Polytechnic qualification or Trade Certificate, or
3 Bachelors degree or higher
96 Other Specify *** DO NOT READ ***
97 None / No qualifications *** DO NOT READ ***
98 Don’t know *** DO NOT READ ***
99 Refused ***DO NOT READ***

 

Q36 And are you…? READ

1 Self-employed
2 A salary or wage earner
3 Retired
4 A full-time home-maker
5 A student
6 Unemployed
96 Other beneficiary
99 Refused **DO NOT READ**

 

Q37 Which of these categories best describes you? READ

1 Married/living with partner (note to interviewer: this includes civil unions)
2 Separated, divorced, widowed or
3 Never married
99 Refused *** DO NOT READ ***

 

Q38 Only ask if 1 coded in Q37: Which of these best describes the joint income of you and your partner before tax, for the last year? Please include any child support, benefits or other income support you or your partner may receive. READ

1 Under $10,000
2 $10,000 but less than $20,000
3 $20,000 but less than $30,000
4 $30,000 but less than $40,000
5 $40,000 but less than $50,000
6 $50,000 but less than $60,000
7 $60,000 but less than $70,000
8 $70,000 but less than $80,000
9 $80,000 but less than $90,000
10 $90,000 but less than $100,000
11 $100,000 but less than $110,000
12 $110,000 but less than $120,000
13 $120,000 but less than $130,000
14 $130,000 but less than $140,000
15 $140,000 but less than $150,000
16 $150,000 or more
98 Don’t know *** DO NOT READ ***
99 Refused *** DO NOT READ ***

 

Q39 Ask if 2 or 3 coded in Q37: Which of these best describes your personal income from all sources, before tax for the last year? READ

1 Under $10,000
2 $10,000 but less than $20,000
3 $20,000 but less than $30,000
4 $30,000 but less than $40,000
5 $40,000 but less than $50,000
6 $50,000 but less than $60,000
7 $60,000 but less than $70,000
8 $70,000 but less than $80,000
9 $80,000 but less than $90,000
10 $90,000 but less than $100,000
11 $100,000 but less than $110,000
12 $110,000 but less than $120,000
13 $120,000 but less than $130,000
14 $130,000 but less than $140,000
15 $140,000 but less than $150,000
16 $150,000 or more
98 Don’t know ** DO NOT READ **
99 Refused ** DO NOT READ **

 

Q40 In which of the following areas do you live? READ

1 Northland
2 Auckland
3 Waikato
4 Bay of Plenty
5 Gisborne
6 Hawkes Bay
7 Taranaki
8 Manawatu-Wanganui
9 Wellington-Wairarapa
10 Tasman
11 Nelson
12 Marlborough
13 West Coast
14 Canterbury
15 Otago
16 Southland
98 Don’t know *** DO NOT READ ***

 

Q41 Which of these best describes where you live? Do you live in a…? READ WORDS AND NUMBERS

1 Rural area (under 1,000 population)
2 A small town (1,000-9,999 population)
3 A medium-sized town (10,000-29,999 population)
4 A large town or city (30,000 or more population)
98 Don’t know **DO NOT READ**

 

Q42 Is your main household water supply town supply? IF NECESSARY: You do not have your own tank water supply.

1 Yes
2 No
98 Don’t know

 

Q43 IF I CODED IN Q42 ASK, ELSE GO TO Q44 And is the water metered in the area you live in?

1 Yes
2 No
98 Don’t know

Closing Questions

Q44 Do you have any other comments you’d like to make about the subject of this interview?

1 Comments Specify
2 No

 

Q45 May I please confirm your name in case my supervisor needs to check on the quality of this interview? RECORD FIRST AND LAST NAME

Those are all the questions I have. Thank you very much for your help. My name is [Q0IV] from Research New Zealand. If you have enquiries about this survey, please ring the Project Manager, Tracey Ryan on our toll-free number: 0800 500 168. (Wellington respondents 499-3088).

Q99VER interviewer comment

Interviewer – are there any additional comments/issues that need to be noted?

 

Q99DEC Interviewer declaration

“I certify that this is a true and accurate record of the interview conducted by me in full accordance with the Market Research Code of Practice.”

1. Yes SKIP TO END
2. No

 

Q99NO interviewer reason

Why have you entered 'No' to the Interviewer Declaration?

 


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