Survey shows National still in lead

A new poll shows both Labour and National are holding steady, with National still a nose in front.

The TV One/Colmar Brunton poll showed National 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.

In the preferred prime minister stakes, Labour leader Helen Clark was well in front, although down two percentage points to 37 per cent support.

National leader Don Brash was up one to 15 per cent support, and his finance spokesman John Key was also up one to be preferred prime minister of 8 per cent.

NZ First leader Winston Peters was also up one point, to 4 per cent support in the popularity stakes.

The poll also questioned voters on how they felt about the country's economic outlook, with 25 per cent optimistic about the outlook while 54 per cent were pessimistic.

TV One said the poll, of 1200 voters, had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 per cent.

- NZPA