Sence Opinion Analysis Highlights
- 67% of the conversation was negative, signalling widespread doubt rather than simple disagreement.
- Distrust in economic indicators dominated, with 86% negative sentiment on the validity of the report.
- Criticism of policy and institutions drove frustration, with over 80% negative sentiment on government and corporate actions.
We explore conversations related to the ANZ business confidence report, offering insight into public sentiment and the conversations shaping it. Using Sence’s Conversational Intelligence, we go beyond the headlines to uncover the deeper mood behind New Zealand’s latest business confidence figures. The analysis reveals the themes driving public doubt and shows how brands and policymakers can listen, clarify, and respond with empathy, bridging the gap between official narratives and lived experience.
- 5k+ opinions decoded
- 60+ unique brands mentioned
- 5 core themes uncovered
- 4 key lessons for brands
Overall sentiment
- 7% Positive
- 27% Neutral
- 67% Negative
The public response was overwhelmingly negative, with a polarity score of -0.6 revealing more than disagreement; it shows a disconnect between official optimism and everyday reality. Brands that rely on standard measures risk being seen as out of touch unless they address the doubts driving this consensus.
Key Theme #1
Distrust in economic indicators
Many questioned the validity of the ANZ business confidence figures, seeing them as disconnected or overly optimistic. With 86% of this theme’s sentiment negative, the community demanded clarity on what these numbers really represent and for whom they speak.
What the community is saying
“Business confidence is the most meaningless measure available.”
“Really? I’d like to see how they came to that conclusion.”
Key Theme #2
Decline in institutional trust
Trust issues with Government and business entities have become a dominant theme, reflecting an 87% negative sentiment. Their share of voice accounts for 8% of the conversation. The data suggests growing public fatigue due to a perceived misalignment between official reports and lived realities.
What the community is saying
“You can’t trust the figures. They fudge them to suit the narrative.”
“Of course, business confidence is up. Supermarkets and energy companies are raking it in, while small businesses collapse.”
Sence Check
Checks to elevate your engagement strategy
- Are you explaining your data clearly?Brands need to show how metrics relate to real lives.
- Are you listening beyond the loudest voices?Focus on patterns and themes, not just top comments.
- Are you connecting narratives to action?Translate insights into clear steps for your audience.
- Are you leading with empathy?Acknowledge doubts and show how you address them.
The response to the ANZ report reflects more than disagreement. It reveals a widening gap between official messages and real-world experiences. For brands, this is a call to not only listen but to understand.
Trust is not built through data alone. It comes from clarity, empathy, and meaningful action. Conversational Intelligence turns public doubt into direction with purpose.