Poll gives National six point lead

The latest poll gives National a six percentage point lead on Labour, just four days out from the election.

The Fairfax-ACNielson poll of 1086 voters, taken over three days from Saturday, had National on 43 per cent support and Labour on 37 per cent.

The poll also shows New Zealand First regaining lost ground and attracting 7 per cent -- two points above the crucial 5 per cent threshold.

The Greens attracted 6 per cent, United Future 3 per cent and ACT and the Maori Party 1 per cent each.

NZ First's surge is good news for National, as leader Winston Peters has pledged to support the party with the most votes on the night. Support from them and United Future would leave National well ahead of a Labour-Greens-Progressives coalition.

NZ First's rise in fortune seems to be at the expense of Labour, which has dropped four points from the same poll 12 days ago.

And it appears National can do no wrong, emerging unscathed from a turbulent week in which leader Don Brash had to apologise for misleading the public over what he knew about a $500,000 Exclusive Brethren campaign to topple Labour.

Three polls released at the weekend had showed the election too close to call - National led in two and Labour in one.

A Television One/Colmar Brunton Poll had National with 41 per cent support, narrowly ahead of Labour on 39 per cent.

Two snap polls, by the Herald on Sunday and The Sunday StarTimes, respectively had Labour on 42.1 and National on 38.5, and National on 44.1 per cent and Labour on 37.2.

The snap polls had much smaller samples than the Television One poll and larger margins of error.

Today's poll had a margin of error of 3 per cent.

It also comes amid raging controversy over National's Tauranga candidate Bob Clarkson, who is defending allegations of historic sexual harassment -- claims he strongly denies.

Mr Clarkson has called in his lawyers and is threatening legal action.

- NZPA