Photo: RNZ
A new poll shows growing public frustration as talks to form the government continue.
It is nearly six weeks since the election, and three weeks tomorrow since the final vote total was announced.
The Talbot Mills Research poll taken from 17 to 22 November found 66 percent of respondents think the negotiations are taking too long.
That was six percent more than a previous poll taken a few days earlier.
Nineteen percent disagreed that the talks were dragging on, and 16 percent were not sure.
When asked who was to blame, 33 percent said Winston Peters, nearly a quarter blamed Christopher Luxon and just 4 percent pointed the finger at David Seymour.
The leaders of both National and ACT have returned Wellington, where it was hoped a coalition deal would soon be announced.
As of Wednesday afternoon, there were only a few outstanding issues for the two parties and New Zealand First to resolve.
National leader Christopher Luxon has previously indicated he would head to Wellington once a deal has been agreed.
But the incoming prime minister was downplaying its significance on Wednesday night.
Speaking to reporters at Auckland Airport, Luxon said further progress towards an agreement had been made over the afternoon.
He said while a deal was close, there were further conversations to have and they would continue into the evening.
National Party president Sylvia Wood was at Auckland Airport on Thursday morning and said the talks were going "pretty well", but would not comment further.
National MP Simeon Brown was departing Auckland for the capital on Thursday morning.
"I don't know there's a deal been done yet, but progress has been made," he told reporters at Auckland Airport. "I'm heading down to Wellington but progress has been made and progress will continue to be made."
Winston Peters remains in Auckland for now but many of his MPs have arrived in Wellington.
