NEW POLL: New Zealand First's record high result; country direction takes a hit

New Zealand First rise to their highest ever result in a Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll (polling since January 2021). The Coalition also strengthen their lead.

The poll shows Labour gain 2.8 points to 34.4 percent, while National gains 1.5 points to 31.5 percent.

New Zealand First gain 3.8 points to 11.9 percent, while the Greens drop 3.1 points to 7.7 percent. ACT drops 1.9 points to 7.0 percent, while Te Pāti Māori drops 0.1 points to 3.0 percent.

Headline results and more information about the methodology can be found on the Taxpayers' Union's website at www.taxpayers.org.nz/jan26poll_nztucuria

For the minor parties, TOP is on 0.7% (-0.9 points), NZ Outdoors and Freedom is on 0.6% (-0.4 points), New Conservatives are on 0.3% (-0.7 points), and Vision NZ is on 0.3% (nc).

This month's results are compared to the last Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll conducted in December 2025, available at www.taxpayers.org.nz/25dec_polltucur

The combined projected seats for the Centre-Right is up 2 seats to 63, while the combined seats for the Centre-Left is down 2 to 57. On these numbers, the Centre-Right bloc could form a Government.

However, net country direction has dropped 9.8 points to -16.4 percent. 32.6 percent (-5.7 points) say the country is headed in the right direction, while 49.0 percent (+4.1 points) say it is headed in the wrong direction.

Commenting on the results, Taxpayers' Union Spokesman James Ross said:

"This is the first poll since the Government kicked any plans for a surplus back until next decade, and people have clearly taken that to heart. Half of Kiwis now think the country is on the wrong track, compared to just a third who are happy with the direction."

"However, New Zealand First will definitely be happy with how they're entering election year. This is their highest ever result in a Taxpayers' Union-Curia Poll, at almost double their support during the last election."