Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says the Government is "absolutely united" despite a 1News Verian poll suggesting the coalition would be unable to form a government if an election was held now.
The poll, released yesterday, showed a left-wing Labour-led government would be possible with the Greens and Te Pati Māori holding the reins to power.
All three coalition parties were down, with National at 36% (down 2%), ACT at 7% (down 1%), and New Zealand First failing to reach parliament at 4% (down 2%).
Despite the shaky result, the Prime Minister said all three parties remained committed and were "absolutely united".
"We acknowledge it’s a tough time for Kiwis out there. Inflation is high, interest rates are high, and we’re a Government that’s not shying away from tough decisions," he told Breakfast this morning.
“That’s what’s needed to fix the mess we inherited.
“I think we’re doing really well — 150 days in, we’re putting together the first three-party coalition in an MMP environment in New Zealand.
"We’re just focused on getting things done."
Parliamentarians give their views on the poll showing all three coalition parties are down in favour. (Source: 1News)
When asked whether recent controversies from comments made by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and ACT leader David Seymour were holding National back, Luxon said the three maintained "very good working relationships".
"Three different parties coming together in a coalition Government," he said.
"Yes, we will say and express things differently, but I can tell you we’re very focused on getting things done for the New Zealand people."
Former NZ First president 'not surprised' by poll
Brent Catchpole said the Government’s drop was likely caused by the “huge calls” it is making at the moment. (Source: Breakfast)
Also joining Breakfast this morning was former NZ First president Brent Catchpole, who said he was "not really" surprised by the poll results.
"The Government is having to make some serious decisions and people are not liking those decisions at the moment."
When asked about NZ First’s drop below 5%, he said: "The whole Government is showing a decline" and NZ First "wouldn’t be worried about that at this point in time".
"We’re only six months into the term."
The latest 1News Verian poll is disastrous for New Zealand First, which would be out of Parliament based on the numbers. (Source: 1News)
Catchpole said the result was "unusual" but the "unpleasant" and "huge calls" made by the Government made it less than surprising.
He said smaller parties in coalitions always struggled to separate themselves from their main partners, leading to a slump in the polls for all parties.
"At the moment, they’re working as a coalition Government, and they have to be working within that framework."
But he said this would likely change closer to the next election.
"Once they get the opportunity to present more of the policies that they’ve agreed within the coalition Government, then the people will be able to see some better results out of that."
Luxon 'doing a good job' - Sir John Key
Former National Party leader Sir John Key said Luxon is "doing a good job" as prime minister despite the weaker polling numbers.
He told 1News the party's slump in the polls "just reflects that the economy's quite tough at the moment".
"I think a lot of New Zealanders are feeling the pressure and I think that all this plays out in the polls when the economy's feeling vulnerable," Sir John said.
Despite the shaky polling numbers, Sir John remained confident in the current National leader.
"I think he's doing a good job. I think he's got the right amount of empathy — he understands the issues, but he also knows that change has to take place.
"It's a delicate balancing position but he's navigating that well."
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