Possible hung parliament as Labour and National slump in latest poll
A new poll indicates that New Zealand's major political parties, Labour and National, are both struggling to secure a majority, potentially leading to a hung parliament. Smaller parties have seen a rise in support, complicating the path to forming a government.
Why it matters
The shift in polling suggests significant political instability and a potential shift in power dynamics for the upcoming New Zealand general election.
Both major parties are below the 30 percent mark with less than two months until the election, according to a new poll.
The latest The Post/Freshwater Strategy poll, funded by Infrastructure New Zealand, shows neither the current coalition bloc nor the opposition bloc would have the numbers to form a government, with both blocs on 60 seats.
Since the last of this poll in June, Labour has slumped by 7 points. It remains in the lead, but only just.
National has also fallen, by 2 points, while the Greens, New Zealand First, and ACT have all gone up.
For the first time in this poll, the Opportunity Party is above the 5 percent threshold, but its numbers are still not enough to help the left bloc into government.
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