31 Mar 2014

National's lead holds in latest polls

8:15 am on 31 March 2014

Two new political polls out on Sunday show the National Party continuing to hold a commanding lead despite a tough few weeks for some Government ministers.

John Key.

John Key. Photo: RNZ / Chris Bramwell

The TVNZ Colmar Brunton poll and the 3News Reid Research poll have National at 47 percent (down 4) and 45.9 percent (up 1.4) respectively.

The Labour Party is down to 31 percent (down 3) in the TVNZ poll and 31.2 percent (down 2.3) in the 3News poll.

That's despite a tough few weeks for Government ministers: Education Minister Hekia Parata has been under fire for her handling of allegations against the Kohanga Reo National Trust, and Justice Minister Judith Collins was reprimanded by Prime Minister John Key for failing to properly manage a perceived conflict of interest.

The Green Party is up 3 points to 11 percent in one poll, and down 1.2 points to 11.2 percent in the other. Both polls indicate New Zealand First is still likely to hold the balance of power after the election.

Mr Key remains hugely popular as the preferred Prime Minister at 42 percent in the TVNZ poll and 42.6 percent in the 3News poll.

Labour leader David Cunliffe is slipping further behind Mr key, with 8 percent in the TVNZ poll (down 2) and 9 percent in the 3News poll (down 1.8).

The 3News poll was taken over between 18 and 26 March and TVNZ's between 22 and 26 March. Both polls surveyed about 1000 people and have a margin of error of plus or minus 3.1 percent.