New poll shows Labour and National each slipping below 30% support

A fresh Post/Freshwater Strategy poll shows Labour at 28% and National at 27%, the second time this month both parties have slipped under 30% support. Labour’s share is a modest rise from its 2023 election result but down seven points since June, while National has lost 11% since the election, equivalent to over 300,000 votes, many of which have moved to coalition partners. The Greens increased to 14%, NZ First to 13%, Act to 9% and Opportunity to 6%, the latter within the poll’s margin of error.

Chris Hipkins leads the preferred-prime-minister question with 45% against Christopher Luxoen’s 35%, and 56% of voters say the country is heading in the wrong direction. Commentators highlight this as the first simultaneous dip for both major parties since the 1930s, suggesting a broader loss of confidence in the traditional leaders.