Archive · 28 Sep 2026
Record Green Support Reshapes New Zealand Coalition Prospects
A new poll measured which political parties New Zealand voters support.
The Green Party received 16%, its highest result in the poll’s history.
National and Labour both received 28%.
The numbers suggest that several left-leaning parties could possibly work together after the election.
That group was projected to have 65 seats.
National, ACT and NZ First were projected to have 59 seats together.
However, the result is still too close to know who will govern.
The election is scheduled for November 7, and some voters have not chosen a party or did not answer.
The Green Party reached a record 16% support in the 1News Verian poll.
National and Labour each recorded 28%, their lowest levels in years.
The poll projected a centre-left bloc could win 65 seats, compared with 59 for a centre-right grouping.
The survey questioned 1,004 voters from September 23 to 27, with 13% undecided or refusing to answer.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said National is unlikely to work with the Opportunity Party because of its tax policies.
- Who
- New Zealand voters and the Green Party, Labour, National, Te Pati Māori, the Opportunity Party, ACT and NZ First.
- What
- A 1News Verian poll showed record support for the Green Party and closely balanced potential governing coalitions.
- When
- The poll was conducted from September 23 to 27 and published on September 28; the general election is scheduled for November 7.
- Where
- New Zealand.
- Why
- The poll assessed party support ahead of the general election and indicated that coalition negotiations could determine the next government.
Centre-left coalition
Centre-right coalition
Projected governing strength
Centre-left coalition
Labour, the Greens, Te Pati Māori and the Opportunity Party were projected to hold 65 seats together.
Centre-right coalition
National, ACT and NZ First were projected to hold 59 seats together.
Coalition prospects
Centre-left coalition
The poll suggested the centre-left parties could form a left-leaning coalition.
Centre-right coalition
The centre-right grouping remained a viable alternative because the overall result was still too close to call.
Opportunity Party participation
Centre-left coalition
The Opportunity Party was included in the poll’s projected centre-left coalition.
Centre-right coalition
Christopher Luxon has said National is unlikely to work with the Opportunity Party because of its tax policies.
- Green Party support
- 16%, its highest ever recorded in the poll
- National support
- 28%, its lowest since 2021
- Labour support
- 28%, down two points from August and its lowest since February 2024
- Projected centre-left seats
- 65 seats for Labour, the Greens, Te Pati Māori and the Opportunity Party
- Projected centre-right seats
- 59 seats for National, ACT and NZ First
- Survey sample
- 1,004 voters
- Undecided or nonresponsive voters
- 13%