Poll: Hipkins and Luxon now neck and neck, Opportunity on track for 10 MPs
A new 1News Verian poll shows Labour's Chris Hipkins and National's Christopher Luxon tied at 20% for preferred prime minister. The minor party Opportunity continues to hold the balance of power, with neither major bloc able to form a government without them.
Why it matters
The poll highlights a highly competitive New Zealand election cycle where minor parties hold significant influence over the potential formation of the next government.
<p>Labour’s Chris Hipkins is in a tie with National’s Christopher Luxon as the preferred prime minister in the 1News Verian poll released tonight.</p> <p>Both leaders are now on 20% after Hipkins moved up 2 points in the past week following the TVNZ <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/10/07/leaders-debate-luxon-hipkins-fire-up-over-cost-of-living-trust-racism/" target="_blank">Leaders Debate</a> last Tuesday.</p> <p>Party support has meanwhile held largely steady, and Opportunity remains in the kingmaker’s seat, with neither the left nor the right bloc able to govern without them.
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