(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The conservative National party could form the next government in New Zealand, according to a poll by DigiPoll released by the New Zealand Herald. 55.4 per cent of respondents would vote for National in this year’s legislative ballot.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The conservative National party could form the next government in New Zealand, according to a poll by DigiPoll released by the New Zealand Herald. 55.4 per cent of respondents would vote for National in this year’s legislative ballot.
The governing Labour party is second with 30.8 per cent, followed by the Greens with 5.5 per cent, New Zealand First with 4.1 per cent, and the Maori Party with 2.6 per cent.
Labour leader Helen Clark has acted as New Zealand’s prime minister since December 1999. In November 2006, Don Brash—who had served as National’s leader since October 2003—announced his resignation and was substituted by finance spokesman John Key.
In the September 2005 ballot, Labour elected 50 lawmakers to the 121-seat House of Representatives, and assembled a coalition government with the Progressives. United Future and New Zealand First agreed to support the administration in confidence and supply votes for three years. National finished second, with 48 legislators.
Earlier this month, published reports claimed that New Zealand First received multiple donations from the Vela family’s thoroughbred and fishing companies from 1999 to 2003, which were never declared.
On Jul. 29, Key urged the government to deal with this issue, adding, "We’ve spent two and a half weeks on this circus and we’re probably going to spend some more time. This is happening at a time when the economy is suffering some real issues, when people are concerned about things that really matter to them."
The next election is expected to take place in September 2008.
Polling Data
If an election were held today, which party would you vote for?
|
Jul. 2008 |
Jun. 2008 |
May 2008 |
|
|
National |
55.4% |
54.9% |
51.5% |
|
Labour |
30.8% |
32.4% |
36.2% |
|
Greens |
5.5% |
5.9% |
6.4% |
|
New Zealand First |
4.1% |
3.3% |
1.9% |
|
Maori Party |
2.6% |
1.8% |
2.2% |
Source: DigiPoll / New Zealand Herald
Methodology: Interviews to 770 New Zealand eligible voters, conducted in July 2008. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.
