(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The opposition National party remains well ahead of its rivals in New Zealand, according to a poll by Digipoll published in the New Zealand Herald. 50.4 per cent of respondents would support National in this month’s ballot, while 37 per cent would vote for the ruling Labour party.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – The opposition National party remains well ahead of its rivals in New Zealand, according to a poll by Digipoll published in the New Zealand Herald. 50.4 per cent of respondents would support National in this month’s ballot, while 37 per cent would vote for the ruling Labour party.
The Greens are third with 5.4 per cent, followed by the Maori Party with 2.4 per cent, and New Zealand First with 2.1 per cent. Support for National fell by one point since September, while backing for Labour increased by 1.3 points.
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. 30, New Zealand First leader Winston Peters criticized the way the media has covered the campaign, saying, "The truth of the matter is that there are forces at play in New Zealand who will do anything to take New Zealand First and Winston Peters out. They are not interested in the facts. They are not interested in balance. They are not interested in what is best for ordinary New Zealanders."
The next legislative election will take place on Nov. 8.
Polling Data
If an election were held today, which party would you vote for?
|
Oct. 2008 |
Sept. 2008 |
Aug. 2008 |
|
|
National |
50.4% |
51.4% |
50.0% |
|
Labour |
37.0% |
35.7% |
36.3% |
|
Greens |
5.4% |
4.9% |
5.1% |
|
Maori Party |
2.4% |
1.9% |
3.1% |
|
New Zealand First |
2.1% |
2.8% |
2.1% |
Source: DigiPoll / New Zealand Herald
Methodology: Interviews to 750 New Zealand eligible voters, conducted in Oct. 15 to Oct. 22, 2008. Margin of error is 3.7 per cent.
