(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - New Zealand's current leader of the opposition holds a slight advantage as a prospective head of government, according to a poll by Colmar Brunton released by One News. 33 per cent of respondents would prefer to have National leader John Key as prime minister, down two points since July.

Labour leader and current prime minister Helen Clark is second with 30 per cent, followed by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters with four per cent.

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 Key. Peters currently serves as foreign minister.

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. 31, Peters announced he has accepted an invitation to visit North Korea, tendered by his counterpart in the Asian country, Pak Vi Chun. Peters praised North Korea's plans to dismantle its nuclear capabilities, saying, "Peace and security on the Korean peninsula is fundamental to the political and economic stability of the wider Asian region."

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