New Zealand Election Tightens;
National Party drops 7% to 40.5% to be just ahead of Labour (37.5%)
| Finding No. 4327 -
This latest Morgan Poll on voting intention was conducted by telephone with a New Zealand-wide cross-section of 923 electors from September 22 – October 5, 2008.:
October 10, 2008 |
In early October 2008 the New Zealand Roy Morgan Poll shows National Party support at 40.5% (down 7%), a tight lead over the Labour Party 37.5% (up 1%). If the Election were this weekend there would be a hung Parliament in New Zealand with either major party capable of forming a governing coalition.
Support for the Greens 9% (up 2.5%) has jumped to its highest level since April, while support for NZ First is 4% (down 1%), ACT NZ 3.5% (up 2%), the Maori Party 2% (up 0.5%), Progressive Alliance 1% (up 1%), United Future 1% (up 0.5%) and Others and Independents 1.5% (up 0.5%).
The Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating at 108.5 points (up 5.5 points) has risen as the election campaign has begun with 48% (up 4%) of New Zealanders saying the country is “heading in the right direction” compared to 39.5% (down 1%) that say the country is “heading in the wrong direction.”
The Roy Morgan New Zealand Consumer Confidence Rating (102.3 points, down 7.6 points) however has halted its recent climb dropping sharply as only 39% (down 7%) of New Zealanders say now is a “good time to buy” major household items.
Gary Morgan says:
“The New Zealand election is due to be held in only four weeks and there are increasing doubts about National Party leader John Key’s readiness for the highest office in the land.
“Key’s inability to remember how many shares his family hold in Transrail, and also his past as a merchant banker have raised questions about how capable Key is of handling the Financial crisis that is engulfing New Zealand.
“The recent debacle over the TV3 leader’s debate has also not helped Key. Although both John Key and Prime Minister Helen Clark refused to take part, it is Key that needed to take this opportunity to present himself to the electorate.
“New Zealand is currently in a recession and needs strong leadership, a quality Helen Clark is recognised for. By refusing to debate, Key displayed weak leadership and this is something he needs to improve if he is to lead the National Party to electoral victory on November 8.”
Electors were asked: “If an election were held today which party would receive your party vote?”
This latest Morgan Poll on voting intention was conducted by telephone with a New Zealand-wide cross-section of 923 electors from September 22 — October 5, 2008.

VOTING INTENTION SUMMARY
The following table compares the latest NZ Morgan Polls on Voting Intention with the result from the September 17, 2005 General Election:
|
PRIMARY VOTE |
Labour |
National |
Progressive
Party |
NZ First |
Green
Party |
United
Future |
Maori
Party* |
ACT NZ |
Other |
| |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
General Election, July 27, 2002 |
41.3 |
20.9 |
1.7 |
10.4 |
7 |
6.7 |
n/a |
7.1 |
6.6 |
|
General Election, September 17, 2005 |
41.1 |
39.1 |
1.16 |
5.72 |
5.3 |
2.67 |
2.12 |
1.51 |
2.48 |
|
MORGAN POLL |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 20 - October 2, 2005 |
36.5 |
41.5 |
1 |
4.5 |
9 |
3 |
1 |
1.5 |
3 |
|
October 4-16, 2005 |
39 |
40.5 |
1 |
5 |
7 |
3.5 |
2 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
|
October 18-31, 2005 |
37.5 |
40 |
0.5 |
6 |
9 |
3.5 |
1 |
1 |
1.5 |
|
November 1-14, 2005 |
37.5 |
40 |
0.5 |
7 |
7 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
November 15-27, 2005 |
39 |
40.5 |
1 |
5.5 |
8.5 |
2 |
1 |
1.5 |
1 |
|
November 28 - December 9, 2005 |
40 |
40 |
0.5 |
6 |
7.5 |
2.5 |
1 |
1.5 |
1 |
|
January 4-12, 2006 |
40.5 |
42.5 |
0.5 |
4.5 |
6.5 |
1.5 |
2 |
0.5 |
1.5 |
|
January 13—23, 2006 |
39 |
40.5 |
0 |
4.5 |
8.5 |
3 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
|
January 24 - February 5, 2006 |
38.5 |
39 |
0.5 |
5.5 |
9.5 |
3 |
1.5 |
2.5 |
0 |
|
February 7-19, 2006 |
40 |
40 |
0.5 |
3.5 |
10 |
1.5 |
2.5 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
|
February 22 - March 6, 2006 |
43 |
39 |
0.5 |
4.5 |
7.5 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1 |
|
March 7-19, 2006 |
42.5 |
41 |
0 |
3.5 |
7.5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0.5 |
|
March 20 - April 2, 2006 |
40 |
43 |
0.5 |
4.5 |
6.5 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1 |
1.5 |
|
April 3-16, 2006 |
41.5 |
40 |
1 |
3.5 |
7 |
2 |
2 |
2.5 |
0.5 |
|
April 17-30, 2006 |
40.5 |
40.5 |
0.5 |
3.5 |
8.5 |
2.5 |
2.5 |
1.5 |
- |
|
May 1-14, 2006 |
39.5 |
41 |
0.5 |
5 |
7.5 |
3 |
1 |
1.5 |
1 |
|
May 15-28, 2006 |
41 |
44 |
0.5 |
3 |
6.5 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1 |
1 |
|
May 29 — June 11, 2006 |
40 |
44.5 |
- |
4.5 |
6.5 |
2 |
1 |
1.5 |
- |
|
June 12-25, 2006 |
37 |
45 |
0.5 |
5 |
6.5 |
1.5 |
2 |
1.5 |
1 |
|
July 3-16, 2006 |
43 |
39 |
- |
4.5 |
8 |
2 |
1 |
1.5 |
1 |
|
July 17 - 30, 2006 |
40 |
42 |
- |
3.5 |
8.5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
July 31 - August 13, 2006 |
39 |
41 |
- |
3.5 |
9 |
3 |
2 |
1.5 |
1 |
|
August 14-27, 2006 |
38.5 |
44 |
0.5 |
4 |
7 |
1 |
2.5 |
1.5 |
1 |
|
August 28 - September 10, 2006 |
41 |
38 |
0.5 |
5.5 |
8.5 |
2 |
3 |
1.5 |
^ |
|
September 16 - October 1, 2006 |
36 |
41.5 |
- |
7 |
8.5 |
2.5 |
2.5 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
|
October 2-15, 2006 |
40 |
40 |
^ |
5 |
8.5 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
2 |
1.5 |
|
October 16-29, 2006 |
38.5 |
41 |
^ |
3 |
8 |
3 |
2.5 |
1.5 |
2.5 |
|
October 30 — November 12, 2006 |
38.5 |
42.5 |
0.5 |
5 |
7.5 |
1.5 |
2.5 |
0.5 |
1.5 |
|
November 13 - 26, 2006 |
37.5 |
42.5 |
^ |
4.5 |
8 |
3 |
2 |
1.5 |
1 |
|
November 27 - December 12, 2006 |
37.5 |
44.5 |
0.5 |
4 |
9.5 |
2 |
1 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
|
January 3-21, 2007 |
41 |
41 |
0.5 |
4 |
7.5 |
1 |
2 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
|
January 23 - February 5, 2007 |
39.5 |
41.5 |
0.5 |
4 |
8 |
1.5 |
2 |
2.5 |
0.5 |
|
February 6-18, 2007 |
36 |
48.5 |
^ |
3 |
8.5 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1 |
- |
|
February 19 - March 4, 2007 |
36 |
45 |
0.5 |
2 |
8.5 |
1.5 |
3.5 |
2.5 |
0.5 |
|
March 5-18, 2007 |
37.5 |
45 |
^ |
4 |
7.5 |
1.5 |
3.5 |
1 |
- |
|
March 19 - April 2, 2007 |
35.5 |
46 |
^ |
3.5 |
9.5 |
1 |
2.5 |
1 |
1 |
|
April 3-16, 2007 |
33.5 |
45.5 |
^ |
6 |
8.5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1.5 |
|
April 23 - May 6, 2007 |
36 |
49.5 |
^ |
4.5 |
6 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
|
May 7-20, 2007 |
32 |
49 |
0.5 |
4.5 |
7 |
1.5 |
2.5 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
|
May 21 - June 3, 2007 |
33.5 |
50.5 |
- |
3.5 |
6.5 |
2 |
1.5 |
2 |
0.5 |
|
June 4-17, 2007 |
36 |
49.5 |
0.5 |
3 |
6.5 |
0.5 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1 |
|
June 18 - July 1, 2007 |
34 |
48.5 |
1 |
2.5 |
8.5 |
1.5 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
July 2-15, 2007 |
36 |
47 |
0.5 |
5 |
6.5 |
1 |
2 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
|
July 16-29, 2007 |
35 |
49 |
0.5 |
4 |
6 |
0.5 |
3 |
0.5 |
1.5 |
|
July 30 - August 12, 2007 |
31 |
50.5 |
0.5 |
4 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
|
August 20 - September 2, 2007 |
34 |
48 |
0.5 |
2.5 |
9.5 |
0.5 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
September 3-16, 2007 |
35 |
49 |
^ |
2.5 |
7.5 |
1 |
3 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
|
September 17-30, 2007 |
33 |
48.5 |
0.5 |
3 |
9.5 |
1.5 |
2.5 |
1 |
0.5 |
|
October 1-14, 2007 |
39 |
45.5 |
^ |
3 |
7.5 |
1.5 |
2 |
0.5 |
1 |
|
October 15-28, 2007 |
40.5 |
45 |
^ |
3.5 |
6.5 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1 |
0.5 |
|
October 29-Novmber 11, 2007 |
34 |
48 |
^ |
5.5 |
7.5 |
1 |
2.5 |
1 |
0.5 |
|
November 12-25, 2007 |
35 |
48 |
0.5 |
5 |
6.5 |
0.5 |
2.5 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
|
November 26-December 9, 2007 |
34.5 |
47.5 |
0.5 |
5 |
6 |
1.5 |
2 |
2 |
1
|
|
January 3-20, 2008 |
33.5 |
52 |
0.5 |
3.5 |
6.5 |
0.5 |
2 |
1 |
0.5 |
|
January 21-February 3, 2008 |
36.5 |
45.5 |
0.5 |
4 |
9 |
0.5 |
1.5 |
2 |
0.5 |
|
February 4-17, 2008 |
32.5 |
51.5 |
0.5 |
3 |
8 |
0.5 |
3 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
|
February 18-March 2, 2008 |
35 |
49.5 |
0.5 |
4 |
7 |
0.5 |
2 |
1 |
0.5 |
|
March 3-16, 2008 |
34 |
51 |
0.5 |
3 |
6.5 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
0.5 |
|
March 24-April 6, 2008 |
34.5 |
47 |
0.5 |
4 |
9 |
0.5 |
3 |
1.5 |
^ |
|
April 7 - 20, 2008 |
35.5 |
50 |
^ |
3.5 |
6.5 |
0.5 |
2.5 |
1.5 |
^ |
|
April 21 - May 4, 2008 |
35.5 |
49.5 |
^ |
4.5 |
6.5 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
^ |
|
May 5-18, 2008 |
35 |
49 |
^ |
4 |
7.5 |
0.5 |
2.5 |
1 |
0.5 |
|
May 19 - June 1, 2008 |
32 |
50.5 |
0.5 |
4 |
7 |
1 |
3 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
|
June 2-15, 2008 |
31.5 |
52.5 |
^ |
4 |
7 |
0.5 |
2 |
2 |
0.5 |
|
June 16-29, 2008 |
30.5 |
51.5 |
^ |
4 |
8 |
1 |
2.5 |
2 |
0.5 |
|
June 30-July 13, 2008 |
31 |
52 |
0.5 |
6.5 |
7.5 |
1 |
1 |
0.5 |
^ |
|
July 14-27, 2008 |
32.5 |
47.5 |
^ |
5 |
8 |
0.5 |
3 |
2.5 |
1 |
|
July 28-August 10, 2008 |
34 |
48 |
^ |
6.5 |
7.5 |
^ |
2 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
|
August 18-31, 2008 |
38 |
44.5 |
^ |
2.5 |
8 |
1 |
3.5 |
1.5 |
1 |
|
September 1 - 14, 2008 |
36.5 |
47.5 |
^ |
5 |
6.5 |
0.5 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1 |
|
September 22-October 5, 2008 |
37.5 |
40.5 |
1 |
4 |
9 |
1 |
2 |
3.5 |
1.5 |
*The Maori Party was launched in July 2004; ^ Result less than 0.5%
The Morgan Poll was the most accurate in predicting the small margin between the two major parties (a Labour lead of 1.5%) for the September 2005 General Election.
New Zealand Regional Voting Intention Summary
Auckland
|
MORGAN POLL |
Labour |
National |
Progressive
Alliance |
NZ
First |
Green
Party |
United
Future |
Maori
Party* |
ACT NZ |
Other |
| |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
July 2006 |
38 |
44.5 |
0.5 |
5.5 |
6 |
2 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
|
August 2006 |
38.5 |
43.5 |
^ |
3 |
8.5 |
2.5 |
2 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
|
September 2006 |
41 |
41.5 |
0.5 |
2.5 |
8 |
2.5 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1 |
|
October 2006 |
35 |
44.5 |
^ |
5 |
9.5 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
^ |
|
November 2006 |
33 |
47 |
0.5 |
5.5 |
8 |
1.5 |
2.5 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
|
December 2006 |
36 |
46 |
^ |
4 |
9 |
1.5 |
2 |
1 |
0.5 |
|
January 2007 |
38 |
44 |
0.5 |
3.5 |
7.5 |
1.5 |
2 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
|
February 2007 |
34.5 |
49.5 |
0.5 |
3.5 |
6.5 |
0.5 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
|
March 2007 |
37.5 |
46 |
^ |
2.5 |
8 |
1.5 |
2.5 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
|
April 2007 |
35.5 |
45 |
^ |
2.5 |
10 |
2 |
2.5 |
2 |
0.5 |
|
May 2007 |
35 |
48 |
^ |
3.5 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
0.5 |
1 |
|
June 2007 |
30.5 |
54.5 |
^ |
3.5 |
6.5 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
July 2007 |
32.5 |
52 |
^ |
2 |
5.5 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
August 2007 |
30 |
53 |
^ |
4.5 |
6.5 |
1.5 |
2.5 |
1 |
1 |
|
September 2007 |
32.5 |
54.5 |
^ |
2 |
6.5 |
^ |
3.5 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
|
October 2007 |
35.5 |
51 |
^ |
2.5 |
6.5 |
1 |
2.5 |
1 |
^ |
|
November 2007 |
36 |
50 |
^ |
5 |
4.5 |
0.5 |
2.5 |
1 |
0.5 |
|
December 2007 |
33.5 |
51.5 |
^ |
4 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
2.5 |
0.5 |
|
January 2008 |
38 |
46.5 |
0.5 |
4 |
7.5 |
0.5 |
1 |
2 |
^ |
|
February 2008 |
34 |
51.5 |
0.5 |
2 |
8 |
^ |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
March 2008 |
29 |
53 |
^ |
3 |
9 |
1 |
1.5 |
2.5 |
1 |
|
April 2008 |
34 |
51.5 |
^ |
4.5 |
6 |
0.5 |
1.5 |
2 |
^ |
|
May 2008 |
31 |
53.5 |
0.5 |
3.5 |
6 |
1 |
3.5 |
1 |
^ |
|
June 2008 |
33.5 |
50.5 |
^ |
3.5 |
8 |
0.5 |
1.5 |
2.5 |
^ |
|
July 2008 |
31 |
51.5 |
0.5 |
4 |
7 |
1 |
2.5 |
2 |
0.5 |
|
|
37.5 |
45 |
^ |
6 |
6 |
^ |
2.5 |
2.5 |
0.5 |
|
|
32.5 |
47.5 |
0.5 |
3.5 |
7.5 |
0.5 |
2.5 |
4 |
1.5 |
Wellington
|
MORGAN POLL |
Labour |
National |
Progressive
Alliance |
NZ
First |
Green
Party |
United
Future |
Maori
Party* |
ACT NZ |
Other |
| |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
July — August 2006 |
47.5 |
36 |
^ |
2.5 |
7.5 |
1.5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
September — October 2006 |
50 |
32.5 |
0.5 |
1.5 |
8 |
2 |
1.5 |
2.5 |
1.5 |
|
November — December 2006 |
44.5 |
36.5 |
^ |
1.5 |
9 |
3.5 |
2 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
|
January — February 2007 |
44 |
38 |
0.5 |
1.5 |
11.5 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
0.5 |
|
March — April 2007 |
41.5 |
38.5 |
^ |
4 |
8.5 |
2 |
4 |
0.5 |
1 |
|
May — June 2007 |
36.5 |
43.5 |
^ |
3 |
10.5 |
2 |
2 |
1.5 |
1 |
|
July — August 2007 |
40.5 |
41.5 |
0.5 |
2.5 |
9 |
2 |
2.5 |
1.5 |
^ |
|
September — October 2007 |
39.5 |
38 |
1 |
2.5 |
13.5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0.5 |
|
November — December 2007 |
34 |
41 |
0.5 |
3 |
13 |
2 |
2.5 |
2.5 |
1.5 |
|
January — February 2008 |
38.5 |
43.5 |
^ |
3 |
10.5 |
0.5 |
2.5 |
1 |
0.5 |
|
March — April 2008 |
41 |
42.5 |
^ |
2.5 |
10 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
^ |
|
May — June 2008 |
38.5 |
43 |
^ |
2.5 |
10 |
0.5 |
1.5 |
3.5 |
0.5 |
|
|
36.5 |
43 |
^ |
4.5 |
11 |
0.5 |
2 |
1.5 |
1 |
Christchurch
|
MORGAN POLL |
Labour |
National |
Progressive
Alliance |
NZ
First |
Green
Party |
United
Future |
Maori
Party* |
ACT NZ |
Other |
| |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
July — August 2006 |
42 |
41 |
^ |
2.5 |
10 |
2 |
0.5 |
1 |
0.5 |
|
September — October 2006 |
39 |
40 |
0.5 |
6.5 |
8 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
2.5 |
1.5 |
|
November — December 2006 |
43.5 |
36.5 |
1 |
5 |
8.5 |
2.5 |
0.5 |
2 |
1 |
|
January — February 2007 |
38 |
40 |
1 |
3 |
11 |
2.5 |
1 |
2.5 |
1 |
|
March — April 2007 |
33.5 |
43.5 |
1 |
6 |
10 |
2.5 |
1 |
1.5 |
1 |
|
May — June 2007 |
38 |
47.5 |
1 |
2.5 |
6.5 |
1 |
1.5 |
1 |
1 |
|
July — August 2007 |
36 |
46 |
1.5 |
5 |
7 |
1.5 |
1 |
^ |
2 |
|
September — October 2007 |
43 |
42.5 |
0.5 |
1 |
8 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
November — December 2007 |
39 |
47.5 |
1 |
3.5 |
7 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
1 |
^ |
|
January — February 2008 |
31.5 |
55 |
1 |
3 |
7.5 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
|
March — April 2008 |
38.5 |
44 |
1 |
1.5 |
9.5 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
0.5 |
|
May — June 2008 |
34.5 |
51.5 |
^ |
4.5 |
7 |
1 |
0.5 |
^ |
1 |
|
|
38.5 |
46 |
0.5 |
3.5 |
8.5 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
1 |
1 |
Other North Island
|
MORGAN POLL |
Labour |
National |
Progressive
Alliance |
NZ
First |
Green
Party |
United
Future |
Maori
Party* |
ACT NZ |
Other |
| |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
July — August 2006 |
36.5 |
43.5 |
^ |
6 |
7 |
2 |
3 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
|
September — October 2006 |
34.5 |
42 |
^ |
8 |
7.5 |
1.5 |
4.5 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
|
November — December 2006 |
35.5 |
44.5 |
^ |
5 |
7 |
2.5 |
3.5 |
1 |
1 |
|
January — February 2007 |
37 |
45 |
^ |
5.5 |
6 |
1.5 |
3.5 |
1 |
0.5 |
|
March — April 2007 |
32 |
49.5 |
^ |
5 |
6.5 |
1 |
4 |
1.5 |
0.5 |
|
May — June 2007 |
33.5 |
51.5 |
^ |
5.5 |
4.5 |
1.5 |
2 |
1 |
0.5 |
|
July — August 2007 |
32 |
50 |
0.5 |
4.5 |
7 |
1 |
3.5 |
1 |
0.5 |
|
September — October 2007 |
32 |
49 |
^ |
4.5 |
8.5 |
1 |
4 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
|
November — December 2007 |
35.5 |
46.5 |
^ |
6 |
5.5 |
1 |
3.5 |
1 |
1 |
|
January — February 2008 |
31 |
47.5 |
^ |
8.5 |
5 |
0.5 |
6.5 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
|
March — April 2008 |
26 |
55 |
^ |
7.5 |
6 |
1 |
3.5 |
1 |
^ |
|
May — June 2008 |
33 |
46.5 |
0.5 |
5 |
5 |
0.5 |
7.5 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
24 |
53 |
^ |
11.5 |
6.5 |
0.5 |
3.5 |
0.5 |
0.5 |
Other South Island
|
MORGAN POLL |
Labour |
National |
Progressive
Alliance |
NZ
First |
Green
Party |
United
Future |
Maori
Party* |
ACT NZ |
Other |
| |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
% |
|
July — August 2006 |
41 |
40.5 |
^ |
3 |
11 | |