The final 1News-Verian poll puts National on 30% and Labour on 29%, with the Greens on 16%, ACT on 10%, NZ First on 8% and Opportunity on 6%.
Seat projections give the current coalition 58 seats and Labour, the Greens and Opportunity 62. Maori party electorate wins could trigger an overhang on the left, while a National overhang could change the numbers and leave Opportunity’s kingmaker position uncertain. Read the full poll breakdown at the NZ Herald.
Voter shift: Almost one in five people who voted National in 2023 now support NZ First or ACT, according to the Post-Freshwater poll. The two parties have attracted 18.4% of National’s former voters. – RNZ
Early Voting: One million Kiwis have already voted. Read more at ODT.
Debate: The Taxpayers’ Union held its Tāmaki electorate debate in Auckland last night. Watch the full debate here.
NZ First: Leader Winston Peters says years of politicians promoting diversity have undermined New Zealand’s shared values, allowing migrants who reject democracy, religious freedom and equality for women. Federated Farmers has ranked NZ First ahead of National and ACT as the party for farmers, while Family First gave Peters a green tick for family values. Read more at Chris Lynch Media and Holyhektuiteka on X.
ACT: An 11th-hour attack leaflet targeting National’s Tamaki candidate has been referred to the Advertising Standards Authority following complaints. The party has also announced a healthcare package, including an extra $400 million for general practice over four years, expanded pharmacist services and increased investment in modern medicines. Read more: Tamaki leaflet referral and ACT’s healthcare plan,
Labour: Chris Hipkins has called a potential Labour–Greens–Maori–Opportunity government “challenging,” saying it may not last three years. Health spokesperson Dr Ayesha Verrall is blaming National for longer hospital waits, staff shortages and rising costs. Labour and Suit and Tie on X.
Greens: Waiariki candidate Tania Waikato has rejected claims she used a Tauranga Girls’ College Maori and Pasifika prizegiving to campaign, after a parent complained her comments amounted to “radical left-wing political propaganda”. Read more at NZ Herald.
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