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There’s good news for the coalition Government as it’s extended its lead over the centre-left bloc, and the National Party has taken back the top spot from Labour in the latest Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll released today, July 10.
For the first time in a Taxpayers’ Union-Curia Poll, New Zealand First is the third most supported party, leapfrogging both the Greens and ACT.
The poll shows National has gained 0.4 points to 33.9 per cent, while Labour has fallen 3.2 points to 31.6 per cent.
New Zealand First gains 3.7 per cent to 9.8 per cent. ACT remains unchanged on 9.1 per cent.
The Greens gain 1.2 points to 9.4 per cent, while Te Pāti Māori gain 0.2 points to 3.5 per cent.
For the minor parties, TOP is on 1.2 per cent (-0.6 points), New Conservatives on 0.5 per cent (-0.2 points), and Outdoors and Freedom is on 0.1 per cent (-1.0 points).
The combined projected seats for the centre-right parties of 65 is up three seats from last month.
The combined seats for the centre-left is down three seats to 57.
On those numbers, the centre-right bloc could still form a Government.
National remains on 42 seats again this month, while Labour drops five seats to 39.
New Zealand First gains four seats to 12, while the Greens gain two to 12.
ACT drops one seat to 11, while Te Pāti Māori remain unchanged on six seats.
The cost of living overtakes the economy more generally as voters’ top issue, rising 3.5 points to 21.6 per cent.
The economy drops 1.1 points to 19.1 per cent and health is in third place on 13.3 per cent (+1.4 points).
Commenting on the results, Taxpayers’ Union Spokesman James Ross says: “Cost of living is voters’ single biggest concern, and housing costs – particularly council rates – are the biggest contributor to that pressure.
“With councils slapping ratepayers with, on average, another 8.71 per cent rates hike, Shane Jones’ call to scrap regional councils is clearly cutting through.
“National ministers backing rates capping appears to also be shoring up a boost in the centre-right bloc.”
