Election 2026: Power remains in Opportunity’s hands in latest 1News-Verian poll
A new poll shows the Opportunity party holding the balance of power in the upcoming New Zealand election, with the left and right blocs currently tied at 58 seats each. Both major party leaders, Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins, are facing historically low popularity ratings.
Why it matters
The poll highlights the volatility of the current political landscape and the potential for smaller parties to dictate the formation of the next government.
National leader Christopher Luxon (left) is just ahead of his Labour counterpart Chris Hipkins in the preferred Prime Minister stakes, according to the latest 1News-Verian poll. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Another poll has put Opportunity in the kingmaker position, offering the left bloc a pathway to government after National leader Christopher Luxon ruled out working with the party.
The latest 1News -Verian poll had National up a point to 29%, Labour on 28%, the Green Party on 16% and New Zealand First up a point to 10%.
Act was down two points to 9%, Opportunity up a point to 7%, and Te Pāti Māori was steady on 1%. Te Pāti Māori is not seeking the party vote, just the candidate vote.
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