The final 1News Verian poll, released Tuesday, put National at 30%, one point ahead of Labour at 29%, suggesting either possible governing bloc would depend on smaller-party backing.
National gained one point and Labour rose two. The Greens increased one point to 16%. ACT and NZ First, National’s current coalition partners, each fell two points, to 10% and 8%, respectively. Opportunity was unchanged at 6%, while Te Pati Maori gained 0.3 points to 0.4%.
The poll’s implied blocs pair National with ACT and NZ First, and Labour with the Greens and Te Pati Maori. Either would need Opportunity’s support to form a government, the poll results indicate. Coalition governments are common under New Zealand’s proportional electoral system.
