New ZealandGreens Surge in Poll
The Greens have reached a record 16% in the latest poll, while Labour and National are tied at 28%. Opportunity holds the balance of power, with 6% support.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
The latest poll shows the Greens at 16%, up four points and their best-ever result. This would give them 19 seats. Labour and National are tied on 28%, with Labour down two and National down one.
ACT is on 11%, up two, and NZ First on 9%, up one. Te Pāti Māori has 1% support, steady. 13% of voters did not know or refused to say.
Greens co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said the party was taking nothing for granted and had room to grow further. She also rose two points to 8% in the preferred prime minister rankings.
Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong described 6% as a 'solid base of support' and pitched her party as the vote for stability. She said the result showed 'real discontent for the major parties, a lack of ideas about how we tackle our big issues'.
David Seymour was coy about working with Opportunity. Swarbrick said there was values alignment with Opportunity in some areas but 'maybe a little bit of divergence when it comes to the willingness to allow corporations to kind of write the rules'.
If National sticks to its refusal to work with Opportunity, the left bloc would be expected to form a government. The poll modelled two scenarios based on how many electorates Te Pāti Māori wins.
Swarbrick said the party needed to focus on 'the levers that will actually change things'. She mentioned portfolios such as finance, energy, state-owned enterprises, climate change.
Opportunity holds the balance of power in both scenarios modelled by the poll. The party's support is seen as crucial in determining the next government.
Key facts
- The Greens are at 16% in the latest poll, their best-ever result.
- Labour and National are tied on 28%.
- Opportunity has 6% support and holds the balance of power.
- The poll modelled two scenarios based on Te Pāti Māori's electorate wins.
Three perspectives
Neutral
The latest poll shows a shift in support for the major parties. The Greens' surge has changed the dynamics of the election. The next government will depend on how the parties negotiate with each other.
Positive
The Greens' record result shows growing support for their policies. Opportunity's stability pitch may appeal to voters looking for a steady hand. The left bloc has a chance to form a government if National sticks to its refusal to work with Opportunity.
Negative
National's refusal to work with Opportunity may hand the government to the left bloc. The major parties' lack of ideas on big issues may have contributed to their decline in support. The poll's results may lead to uncertainty and instability.
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