Nats surge ahead in latest Herald poll

National has opened a strong lead over Labour in the latest New Zealand Herald-Digipoll.

Results from the poll of 751 people show a major change from recent polls which have had National and Labour neck and neck or National edging just ahead.

The Herald poll comes amid the continuing furore over the Taito Phillip Field affair. Up until now the Government has believed that the issue of whether Field, who holds Mangere for Labour, should resign over allegations he acted inappropriately as an MP, was doing it little harm.

Prime Minister Helen Clark two weeks ago dismissed it as a "beltway" issue, referring to the beltway motorway which rings Washington DC, cutting the American capital off from the country.

But polling by the Herald - to be published over the next three days - finds that Miss Clark is out of touch with feeling in the country.

Two weeks ago, a TV One/Colmar Brunton poll showed National just ahead on 45 per cent support, two points ahead of Labour. The Greens, New Zealand First and the Maori Party were each on 3 per cent.

The Herald poll shows National opening up a substantial lead, with the Maori Party on a roll but New Zealand First taking a hit.

* The first details of the poll will be published tomorrow in the New Zealand Herald and on nzherald.co.nz.