Ruling Coalition on Track for Re-Election in New Zealand as Major Parties Struggle

New Zealand's ruling coalition is on track to win a second term in office at the upcoming general election, according to a recent opinion poll. The Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll, conducted on September 7, found that the centre-right National Party has lost support, dropping 2 percentage points to 29%.

The coalition's two smaller parties, New Zealand First and ACT Party, have also seen changes in their popularity. New Zealand First fell by 0.7 point to 8.4%, while ACT rose 3.2 points to 10.5%. The combined support of the three parties would give them 64 seats in Parliament, allowing them to form a government.

The opposition Labour Party has also struggled, losing 1.9 points to 25.9% - its weakest result in over two years. High living costs and rising interest rates have eroded National's credibility on the economy, while Labour has failed to convince voters it offers a compelling alternative.