National takes clear lead in latest poll

National has a five-point lead over Labour in the Fairfax New Zealand/ACNielsen poll published in The Dominion Post newspaper today.

National drew 42 per cent support, compared with 38 per cent in the same poll last month. Labour is on 37 per cent, down from 40 per cent.

National leader Don Brash has closed in on Helen Clark as preferred prime minister, the poll indicated. Dr Brash now has 29 per cent support, 10 points behind Miss Clark.

If an election reflected the poll result National would win 51 seats in the 120-seat Parliament - enough to form a government with 10 seats from New Zealand First.

But it would not be a clear cut result - Labour would be close to being able to form a government with the backing of the Green Party, United Future, the Maori Party and the Progressives.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has not ruled out working with Labour.

Under today's poll ACT would be wiped out of Parliament, the Greens would win seven seats, United Future 2, the Maori Party 2 and the Progressives 1.

That assumes United Future leader Peter Dunne retains his grip on Ohariu-Belmont, and Progressives leader Jim Anderton wins his electorate, as they are expected to.

Polling in the Maori seats has indicated the Maori Party could win more than two electorates, which would give it more power in Parliament than this poll indicates.

More than half (52 per cent) of NZ First supporters favour a deal with Labour, compared with just three out of 10 wanting a deal with National, the poll indicated.

The poll questioned 1055 voters over six days up to last Wednesday. It has a margin of error of 3 per cent.

- NZPA