12 Sep 2017

Party support gap closing in business poll

11:38 pm on 12 September 2017

There's been a surge of support for Labour from small business owners, a survey says.

A MYOB Colmar Brunton poll of 400 small businesses with fewer than 20 employees found Labour had jumped from 10 percent support this time last year to 29 percent.

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The poll surveyed 400 businesses. Photo: 123rf

It said National had dropped 13 points to 44 percent.

MYOB said 'Jacindamania' had led to the dramatic closing of the gap between the two major parties. It said while National was still strong, it was not as favourable as it was with small to medium businesses last year.

MYOB general manager Carolyn Luey said the survey results should be a concern for National with 42 percent of small businesses saying it was time for a change.

"Traditionally National has the small business owner vote locked up.

"The introduction of Labour's new leadership team has clearly changed things and turned this election on its head."

She said 37 percent wanted the government to stay the same.

Immigration was a controversial topic for many small business owners with almost half - 46 percent - saying current immigration was too loose.

New Zealand First was the most popular of the minor parties, rising from 4 percent last year to 7 percent now.

The Greens were at 4 percent, Act languished at 1 percent and The Opportunities Party registered 2 percent.

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