Sharp drop in National party support - poll
The fall in support for National could be due to the widespread belief of an easy win for National meaning some voters have begun to consider alternatives as a counter-balance.
Support for Prime Minister John Key’s National-led government has fallen to 55.5% (down 6% and back to the level of support in August).
The latest New Zealand Roy Morgan poll shows support for Mr Key’s National Party is 51% (down 6%), ACT NZ 1.5% (unchanged), the Maori Party 2.5% (unchanged), and United Future 0.5% (unchanged).
Combined support for opposition parties is at 44.5% (up 6%) — Labour 30.5% (up 4.5%), Greens 11.5% (up 4% — the highest for the Greens since before the last election), New Zealand First 1% (down 2.5% — the lowest for more than two years since August 2009), Mana Party 0.5% (down 0.5%) and Others 1% (up 0.5%).
The general election will be held on November 26 and based on these poll results National would easily be returned to government.
In an accompanying poll, Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating has risen 5 points to 137 — the highest since November 2010 with 61.5% (up 1.5%) of New Zealanders saying New Zealand is ‘heading in the right direction’ compared to 24.5% (down 3.5%) that say New Zealand is ‘heading in the wrong direction.’
Gary Morgan says the fall in support for National could be due to the widespread belief of an easy win for National meaning some voters have begun to consider alternatives as a counter-balance.
He said the increase in the confidence poll coincides with the first two weeks of the Rugby World Cup — expected to be won by the All Blacks and clearly an event that stirs up an immense amount of national pride.
The telephone poll surveyed 788 electors from September 12-25, 2011. Of all electors surveyed 7% (up 1%) didn’t name a party.
NBR staff
Wed, 12 Oct 2011
Wed, 12 Oct 2011
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Sharp drop in National party support - poll
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