New Zealand Opposition Leads in Poll 10 Days Ahead of Election
(Bloomberg) -- New Zealand’s main opposition National Party is in prime position to win this month’s election but it will need the support of two smaller parties to govern, according to the latest opinion poll.
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Support for National was at 36% in a 1News/Verian poll published Wednesday in Wellington, well ahead of the ruling Labour Party on 26%. However, National would need the help of both the libertarian ACT Party, on 10%, and the nationalist New Zealand First Party, on 6%, to reach a majority in parliament.
If the poll results were replicated at the Oct. 14 election, National would have the only path to power because Labour and New Zealand First have ruled out working with each other.
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Still, a three-way coalition is not the preferred outcome for National Party leader Christopher Luxon, particularly as his ally, ACT leader David Seymour, is not on good terms with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who has been isolating this week after contracting Covid-19, faces an uphill battle in the remaining days of the election campaign. His ally the Green Party was on 13% in the poll, while the tiny Maori Party, another likely partner, had 2% support. That’s not enough to reach a majority between them.
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