Poll finds National support at lowest since 2014, NZ First highest since 1996

Roy Morgan's latest poll has National at its lowest level of support since 2014, and NZ First at its highest since 1996 (see full results below).

The flag referendum and Panama Papers have been fertile ground for Winston Peters. Pollster Gary Morgan says the NZ First leader has also made hay from his claims that the government is undermining Gold Card free travel for senior citizens.

While you can't read too much into any political poll at this stage of the cycle, a common theme with a recent Colmar Brunton-One News poll is NZ First apparently making a better fist of opposition than Labour in recent times. The Colmar Brunton poll had Mr Peters (10%) pushing Labour leader Andrew Little (7%) into third place in the preferred prime minister stakes (not measured by Roy Morgan).

Roy Morgan found:

♦ National down 3.5% to 42.5%, the lowest for two years since April/May 2014, now only 2% ahead of a potential Labour/Greens alliance 40.5% (down 1.5%);

♦ NZ First up 3.5% to 12.5%, giving it the balance of power if an election were called today;

♦ Support for the National partners showed little change with the Maori Party, up 0.5% to 1.5%, Act NZ 1.5% (up 0.5%) and United Future unchanged on zero;

♦ Labour down 2% to 26%; and

♦ Greens 14.5% (up 0.5%).

The NZ Roy Morgan government confidence rating decreased to 127 points (down five points ) in April, with 57.5% (down 3.5%) of electors saying New Zealand is "heading in the right direction" compared to 30.5% (up 1.5%) who say NZ is "heading in the wrong direction." NZ government confidence is much higher than in Australia – Australian government confidence was 99 points in April.

Based on a landline and mobile phone poll of 843 eligible voters.

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Poll finds National support at lowest since 2014, NZ First highest since 1996