NZ First supporters split on coalition

The latest Herald DigiPoll survey shows why the issue of coalitions is so fraught for New Zealand First: there are few clear preferences among its supporters or among the total voting public.

NZ First supporters are split over which major party it should go into coalition with, but slightly favour Labour.

Of its own supporters, 37.5 per cent want it to coalesce with Labour, 32.1 per cent want it to coalesce with National and 19.6 per cent do not want it to go into Government at all.

Leader Winston Peters has raised the prospect of the party sitting outside the Government winning concessions through a confidence and supply agreement.

The poll does not indicate any great pressure for Mr Peters to declare a pre-election preference.

More voters than not believe he should (51.2 per cent), but 29.6 per cent think he shouldn't and 19.2 per cent don't know.

The poll also suggests that Labour supporters would not necessarily reject a coalition with New Zealand First. Of those polled, 45.4 per cent would prefer a Labour-NZ First coalition if NZ First held the balance of power, but 41.6 per cent would prefer not to go into Government at all.