Polls & Research

New Zealand’s National Barely Edging Labour

- The opposition National party is still the most popular political organization in New Zealand, according to a poll by Colmar Brunton released by One News. 45 per cent of respondents would vote for National in the next legislative election, while 43 per cent would support the governing Labour party.

The Greens are third with four per cent, followed by New Zealand First, the Maori Party and ACT with two per cent, and United Future with 0.8 per cent.

Labour leader Helen Clark has acted as New Zealand's prime minister since December 1999. Don Brash became the leader of the National party in October 2003. Support for National fell by two points since May, while backing for Labour increased by five points.

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 Jul. 17, Labour lawmaker Taito Phillip Field was cleared of conflict of interest allegations after it was revealed that he employed Thai labourer Sunan Siriwan for some house renovations. While Siriwan was supported financially by Field's family while in Samoa, he was not paid for the work.

Yesterday, Brash demanded a full inquiry into the Field affair, which he described as a "corruption and slave labour" scandal, and said the prime minister is covering up Field's "improper, and possibly unlawful activities." Clark accused National of "hypocrisy" and cited the donations the party received from the Exclusive Brethren before the 2005 election.

Polling Data

What party would you vote for in the next general election?