KEY POINTS:
Support for National has slipped slightly in an opinion poll released last night but it is still holding a strong lead over Labour.
The TV3 poll showed National on 49 per cent, down two points since December, and Labour down one point to 35 per cent.
The Greens were the only party to show a significant change, with their support rising from 4.8 per cent to 7 per cent.
New Zealand First was up from 2.2 per cent to 3 per cent and the Maori Party from 2.8 per cent to 3 per cent.
In the preferred prime minister stakes, National's leader John Key maintained his lead over Helen Clark with 33 per cent against 29 per cent.
In December, Mr Key rated 33 per cent and Helen Clark 28 per cent.
Last night's poll was the third this year, and like the first two showed National holding a strong lead.
On January 26 a Herald-DigiPoll survey put National on 47.5 per cent, down 3.8 points from its highest-ever Herald-DigiPoll survey rating of 51.3 per cent in December, and Labour relatively steady on 38.7 per cent.
A day earlier the New Zealand Morgan poll showed an opposite trend, with National gaining 4.5 points since December to reach 52 per cent and Labour losing one point to record 33.5 per cent.
All three polls have shown the Greens gaining support since December.
- NZPA
