New Zealand’s governing National Party and opposition Labour Party each fell to 28% in the 1News Verian poll published late on Sept. 28, leaving the Nov. 7 election finely balanced with less than six weeks to go. National’s result was its lowest since 2021, while Labour recorded its weakest support since early 2024. The numbers add pressure on Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is seeking a second term amid a sluggish economy and cost-of-living pressures affecting household incomes. Labour has also struggled to present a compelling alternative, with voters shifting toward smaller parties. Under New Zealand’s proportional representation system (voting system allocating seats by vote share), National governs with New Zealand First and ACT. NZ First reached 9% and ACT 11%, but the coalition would not control a parliamentary majority on these figures. The Green Party gained 4 percentage points to a record 16%, potentially giving a Labour-led bloc a route to power if it joins with the Opportunity Party, which polled at 6%. Opportunity has never entered Parliament after failing to clear the 5% threshold at previous elections, although several recent polls have placed it above that level and raised the prospect of a role in determining the next government.