(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The opposition National party is ahead of the governing Labour party in New Zealand, according to a poll by TNS released by TV3. 45 per cent of respondents would vote for National in next month’s legislative election, while 39 per cent would support Labour.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The opposition National party is ahead of the governing Labour party in New Zealand, according to a poll by TNS released by TV3. 45 per cent of respondents would vote for National in next month’s legislative election, while 39 per cent would support Labour.
The Greens are third with 6.7 per cent, followed by New Zealand First with 2.7 per cent, and the Maori Party with 2.5 per cent, ACT with 1.8 per cent, and United Future and the Progressives with 0.1 per cent each.
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.
On Oct. 17, Clark discussed her party’s chances, saying, "There’s no doubt that Labour has the momentum. I feel that what is happening in the wider world has reshaped our campaign. It seems to me that the international economic crisis has turned the campaign on its head."
The next legislative election will take place on Nov. 8.
Polling Data
If a general election was held yesterday under MMP, which political party would you have voted for with your party vote? That is, for the political party you most want to be represented in parliament.
|
Oct. 2008 |
Sept. 2008 |
Aug. 2008 |
|
|
National |
45% |
49% |
48% |
|
Labour |
39% |
36% |
37% |
|
Greens |
6.7% |
5% |
6% |
|
New Zealand First |
2.7% |
3% |
3% |
|
Maori Party |
2.5% |
2% |
2% |
|
ACT |
1.8% |
1.5% |
2% |
|
United Future |
0.1% |
0.7% |
1% |
|
Progressive |
0.1% |
0.3% |
– |
Source: TNS / TV3
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 New Zealand voters, conducted in early October 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
