National Maintains Wide Margin Over Labour in Election Race

With just under 5 weeks till the General Election on Saturday, 8 November, the National Party continues to lead Labour, the governing party, by 19 points.

TV One's latest Colmar-Brunton poll shows National support at 52 percent, with Labour support easing off 1 percent to 33 percent.

Among the minor parties, only the Greens garner sufficient support, gaining 2 points to reach 7 percent, to cross the 5 percent party list threshold to give them representation in the new parliament without having to win electorate seats.

The Maori party posted a small gain from 1.8 to 2.5 percent but their support in Maori electorates is likely to ensure re-election in a number of seats they already hold.

In the past week or so, Maori Party MPs have been making public statements that suggest the Maori Party will consider a coalition arrangement with National, provided the Maori Party is represented within the Cabinet.