Opinion polling for the 2008 New Zealand general election

Opinion polling has been commissioned throughout the duration of the 48th New Zealand Parliament and in the leadup to the 2008 election by various organisations, the main four being TVNZ, TV3, The New Zealand Herald and Roy Morgan Research. The sample size, margin of error and confidence interval of each poll varies by organisation and date.

Party vote and key events in the leadup to the 2008 election

Refusals are generally excluded from the party vote percentages, while question wording and the treatment of "don't know" responses and those not intending to vote may vary between survey firms.

Graphical summary

Individual polls

Poll Date Labour National NZ First Māori Green ACT United
Future
Prog
2005 election result 17 September 2005 41.1 39.1 5.7 2.1 5.3 1.5 2.7 1.2
Roy Morgan Research 17 September–2 October 2005 36.5 41.5 4.5 3 9 1.5 3 1
Roy Morgan Research 4–16 October 2005 39 40.5 5 2 7 1.5 3.5 1
Roy Morgan Research 18–31 October 2005 37.5 40 6 1 9 1 3.5 0.5
3 News TNS 27 October–2 November 2005 44 37 3.5 2.5 7 1.5 2.5 0.7
One News Colmar Brunton 20 November 2005 40 44 4 2 7 1 1
Herald-DigiPoll 30 November 2005 43.8 41.7 3.8 1.5 5.3 1.5 1.3
One News Colmar Brunton 11 December 2005 37 46 4 2.1 7
Roy Morgan International 13–23 January 2006 39 40.5 4.5 1.5 8.5 1.5 3.0 0.0
Sunday Star-Times/BRC 16–25 January 2006 42 43 4 1 6 1 1
3 News TNS 26 January–2 February 2006 44 38 3.4 1.7 7 1.2 1.5 0.5
One News Colmar Brunton 19 February 2006 42 45 4 2 6 1 1
3 News TNS 23–29 March 2006 43 40 4.3 3 6 1.1 1.9 0.2
Herald-DigiPoll 10 April 2006 43.4 44.6 3.9 2.1 5.2 1.1 1.5
3 News TNS 4–10 May 2006 42 41 3.8 2.2 6 1.8 1.9 0.2
18 May 2006  – 2006 New Zealand budget presented to Parliament.
One News Colmar Brunton 22–25 May 2006 38 47 4 3 5 1.1 1.4 0.1
3 News TNS 29 June–5 July 2006 46 39 3.8 1.3 6 0.8 1.1 0.4
One News Colmar Brunton 16 July 2006 43 45 2 2 4 2 0.8
One News Colmar Brunton 7–10 August 2006 43 45 3 2.6 3 0.9 1.5 0.4
Herald-DigiPoll 31 August 2006 38.7 46.4 2.8 3.4 5.8 0.7 1.1 0.2
3 News TNS 24–30 August 2006 43 40 3.2 2.8 7 1 1.2 0.2
Roy Morgan Research 28 August–10 September 2006 41 38 5.5 3 8.5 1.5 2 0.5
13 September 2006 – National Party leader Don Brash takes leave to sort out marital problems amidst rumours he had an affair.
Poll Date Labour National NZ First Māori Green ACT United Future Prog
Herald-DigiPoll 22–24 September 2006 38 45.7 2.8 4.1 6.8 1.4 0.7 0.3
One News Colmar Brunton 18–21 September 2006 38 49 3 6
Roy Morgan Research 16 September–1 October 2006 36 41.5 7 2.5 8.5 1.5 2.5
Roy Morgan Research 2–15 October 2006 40 40 5 1.5 8.5 2 1.5 0.5
One News Colmar Brunton 16–19 October 2006 36 49 2.5 2.4 6 0.5 0.9 0.2
Roy Morgan Research 16–29 October 2006 38.5 41 3 2.5 8 1.5 3
3 News TNS 26 October–1 November 2006 42 40 2.4 3.4 7 1.5 1.9 0.2
Roy Morgan Research 30 October–12 November 2006 38.5 42.5 5 2.5 7.5 0.5 1.5 0.5
Roy Morgan Research 13–26 November 2006 37.5 42.5 4.5 2 8 1.5 3
27 November 2006 – John Key becomes leader of the National Party.
Herald-DigiPoll 14 November–2 December 2006 41.7 42.8 3.4 2 6.1 1 1.6 0.4
Roy Morgan Research 27 November–12 December 2006 37.5 44.5 4 1 9.5 0.5 2 0.5
Roy Morgan Research 3–21 January 2007 41 41 4 2 7.5 1.5 1 0.5
3 News TNS 25 January–1 February 2007 44 41 2.8 2 8 0.8 0.8 0.1
Roy Morgan Research 23 January–5 February 2007 39.5 41.5 4 2 8 1.5 2.5 0.5
13 February 2007 – Taito Phillip Field is expelled from the Labour Party caucus after saying he would stand for election at the 2008 election, either with Labour or as an independent.
Poll Date Labour National NZ First Māori Green ACT United Future Prog
One News Colmar Brunton 12–15 February 2007 39 46 2.2 3.1 7 1.3 0.5 0.4
Roy Morgan Research 6–18 February 2007 36 48.5 3 1.5 8.5 1 1.5
Roy Morgan Research 19 February–4 March 2007 36 45 2 3.5 8.5 2.5 1.5 0.5
Roy Morgan Research 5–18 March 2007 37.5 45 4 3.5 7.5 1 1.5
One News Colmar Brunton 17–22 March 2007 37 46 2 3.4 7 1.5 1.6 0.1
3 News TNS 22–28 March 2007 44 42 1.2 3.4 5.6 1.2 0.7 0.2
Roy Morgan Research 19 March–2 April 2007 35.5 46 3.5 2.5 9.5 1 1
Roy Morgan Research 3–16 April 2007 33.5 45.5 6 2 8.5 1 2
One News Colmar Brunton 14–19 April 2007 39 49 2 1.7 6 1 0.6 0.2
Roy Morgan Research 23 April–6 May 2007 36 49.5 4.5 1.5 6 0.5 1.5
3 News TNS 3–9 May 2007 36 48 2.4 3.7 8 0.5 0.6 0.1
16 May 2007 – Parliament passes the Crimes (Substituted Section 59) Amendment Act 2007.
17 May 2007  – 2007 New Zealand budget presented to Parliament.
Roy Morgan Research 7–20 May 2007 32 49 4.5 2.5 7 1.5 1.5
Herald-DigiPoll 18–24 May 2007 33.6 50.9 3.2 1.7 6.1 0.7 0.8 0.4
One News Colmar Brunton 19–24 May 2007 31 56 2.1 2.9 6 0.4 1 0.2
Roy Morgan Research 21 May–3 June 2007 33.5 50.5 3.5 1.5 6.5 0.5 2 0.5
7 June 2007 – The Reserve Bank intervenes in the currency market by selling New Zealand Dollars in an attempt halt the increase in value of the currency.
Poll Date Labour National NZ First Māori Green ACT United Future Prog
Roy Morgan Research 4–17 June 2007 36 49.5 3 1.5 6.5 1.5 0.5 0.5
Herald-DigiPoll 4–22 June 2007 40.1 48.2 3 2.4 4 0.6 0.3
Roy Morgan Research 18 June–1 July 2007 34 48.5 2.5 2 8.5 1 1.5 1
1 July 2007 – Introduction of several government policies, including 20 hours funded childcare for 3 and 4-year olds and the Kiwisaver retirement savings scheme.
One News Colmar Brunton 30 June–5 July 2007 36 52 2.3 2.6 5 0.3 0.6 0.4
3 News TNS 5–11 July 2007 36 48 2.6 2.7 6 1.2 1.1
UMR Research c. 15 July 2007 36 50 2.3 2.6 7.1 0.4 0.8
Roy Morgan Research 2–15 July 2007 36 47 5 2 6.5 1.5 1 0.5
Herald-DigiPoll 5–19 July 2007 42 48.5 2 1.8 4 0.4 0.3
Roy Morgan Research 16–29 July 2007 35 49 4 3 6 0.5 0.5 0.5
One News Colmar Brunton 4–9 August 2007 36 53 2.6 1 5 1.2 0.5 0.2
UMR Research c. 15 August 2007 35 49 2.9 2.1 7.7 0.6 1.1
Roy Morgan Research 30 July–12 August 2007 31 50.5 4 3 7 1.5 2 0.5
Roy Morgan Research 20 August–2 September 2007 34 48 2.5 3 9.5 1 0.5 0.5
3 News TNS 30 August–5 September 2007 37 47 3.2 1.8 7 1.5 0.1
Fairfax Media–Nielsen 15 September 2007 36 50 3 2 6 1 1 0
One News Colmar Brunton 8–13 September 2007 39 49 2.9 2.8 5 0.8 0.5 0.3
Roy Morgan Research 3–16 September 2007 35 49 2.5 3 7.5 1.5 1
UMR Research 13–19 September 2007 34 51 2.8 2.6 6.7 0.9 0.4
Herald-DigiPoll 29 September 2007 39.6 44.8 3.1 2.8 7.2 1.1 0.4 0.2
Roy Morgan Research 17–30 September 2007 33 48.5 3 2.5 9.5 1 1.5 0.5
One News Colmar Brunton 6–11 October 2007 37 49 1.9 2.8 6 0.6 0.4 0.1
Roy Morgan Research 1–14 October 2007 39 45.5 3 2 7.5 0.5 1.5
UMR Research 11–15 October 2007 38 49 2.6 1.2 6.9 0.8 0.5
15 October 2007 – Operation 8 police raids on activists.
Poll Date Labour National NZ First Māori Green ACT United Future Prog
Herald-DigiPoll 8–28 October 2007 38.8 51.2 1.8 1.8 5.4 0.2 0.2
Roy Morgan Research 15–28 October 2007 40.5 45 3.5 1.5 6.5 1 1.5
Roy Morgan Research 29 October–11 November 2007 34 48 5.5 2.5 7.5 1 1
12 November 2007 – The New Zealand Herald dedicates its front page to criticism of the Electoral Finance Bill under headline "Democracy under attack".
Herald-DigiPoll 8–26 November 2007 38.1 51.3 2.1 3 3.5 0.7 0.4 0.3
Fairfax Media–Nielsen 17 November 2007 40 45 3 3 5 1 1 0
Roy Morgan Research 12–25 November 2007 35 48 5 2.5 6.5 1.5 0.5 0.5
3 News TNS 8–13 December 2007 36 51 2.2 2.8 4.8 0.9 0.7
One News Colmar Brunton 8–13 December 2007 35 54 2.2 1.7 4.6 0.8 0.5 0.1
Roy Morgan Research 26 November–9 December 2007 34.5 47.5 5 2 6 1.5 0.5 0.5
Roy Morgan Research 3–20 January 2008 33.5 52 3.5 2 6.5 1 0.5 0.5
Herald-DigiPoll 10–24 January 2008 38.7 47.5 3 1 9.1 0.7 0 0
3 News TNS 23–30 January 2008 35 49 3 3 7 0.5 0.5
29 January, 30 January 2008 – John Key and Helen Clark open their election year campaigns with speeches focusing on youth issues.
Poll Date Labour National NZ First Māori Green ACT United Future Prog
Roy Morgan Research 21 January–3 February 2008 36.5 45.5 4 2 9 2 0.5 0.5
One News Colmar Brunton 9–14 February 2008 34 53 1.7 3.3 6 0.9 0.2
Roy Morgan Research 4–17 February 2008 32.5 51.5 3 3 8 0.5 0.5 0.5
Fairfax Media–Nielsen 13–19 February 2008 32 55 3 2 6 1 0 0
3 News TNS 19–26 February 2008 35 51 3 2 7 1 0.1 0.1
Herald-DigiPoll 11–28 February 2008 36.5 54.5 2.1 1.5 4.4 0.4 0.4 0
Roy Morgan Research 18 February–2 March 2008 35 49.5 4 2 7 1 0.5 0.5
One News Colmar Brunton 8–13 March 2008 35 50 2.5 3.3 7 0.9 0.3 0.1
Roy Morgan Research 3–16 March 2008 34 51 3 2 6.5 1.5 1 0.5
Herald-DigiPoll 6–27 March 2008 39.3 49.9 1.1 3.7 3.9 1.1 0
Roy Morgan Research 24 March–6 April 2008 34.5 47 4 3 9 1.5 0.5 0.5
3 News TNS 10–16 April 2008 38 48 3.4 2.9 5.8 0.5 0.3
One News Colmar Brunton 12–17 April 2008 35 54 1.5 3.2 3.7 1.1 0.2 0.1
Roy Morgan Research 7–20 April 2008 35.5 50 3.5 2.5 6.5 1.5 0.5
Fairfax Media–Nielsen 9–22 April 2008 34 52 3 3 6 0 1 1
Herald-DigiPoll 5–26 April 2008 37.2 52.1 1.5 2.9 5.2 0.4 0.1 0
Poll Date Labour National NZ First Māori Green ACT United Future Prog
Roy Morgan Research 21 April–4 May 2008 35.5 49.5 4.5 2 6.5 1 1
Fairfax Media–Nielsen 7–13 May 2008 29 56 5 2 6 1 0 0
17 May 2008  – 2008 New Zealand budget presented to Parliament.
Roy Morgan Research 5–18 May 2008 35 49 4 2.5 7.5 1 .5
Herald-DigiPoll 5–28 May 2008 36.2 51.5 1.9 2.2 6.4 0.7 0.4 0
3 News TNS 23–29 May 2008 35 50 3.9 2 5.8 1 0.2 0.1
One News Colmar Brunton 24–29 May 2008 29 55 4.4 2.5 7 1.2 0.2 0.1
Roy Morgan Research 19 May–1 June 2008 32 50.5 4 3 7 1.5 1
Roy Morgan Research 2–15 June 2008 31.5 52.5 4 2 7 2 0.5
Fairfax Media–Nielsen 11–17 June 2008 30 54 3 2 7 1 1
One News Colmar Brunton 14–19 June 2008 29 55 3.2 4.4 7 0.8 0.4 0
Herald-DigiPoll 6–25 June 2008 32.4 54.9 3.3 1.8 5.9 0.8 0.1
Roy Morgan Research 16–29 June 2008 30.5 51.5 4 2.5 8 2 1
Poll Date Labour National NZ First Māori Green ACT United Future Prog
Roy Morgan Research 30 June–13 July 2008 31 52 6.5 1 7.5 0.5 1
Fairfax Media–Nielsen 9–15 July 2008 35 51 4 2 5 1 0
One News Colmar Brunton 12–17 July 2008 35 52 2.4 1.7 6 1.2 0.3 0
3 News TNS Released 18 July 2008 35 48 4 2 7 1 0.3 0
Herald-DigiPoll Released 29 July 2008 30.8 55.4 4.1 2.6 5.5 0.2 0.9
Roy Morgan Research 14–27 July 2008 32.5 47.5 5 3 8 2.5 0.5
Roy Morgan Research 28 July–10 August 2008 34 48 6.5 2 7.5 1.5 0
Fairfax Media–Nielsen 6–12 August 2008 35 54 3 2 4 1 0
One News Colmar Brunton 9–14 August 2008 37 51 2.6 3.1 3.5 0.6 0.7 0.1
3 News TNS 14–20 August 2008 37 48 3 2 6 2 1 0
Roy Morgan Research 18–31 August 2008 38 44.5 2.5 3.5 8 1.5 1
Herald-DigiPoll 3–25 August 2008 36.3 50 2.1 3.1 5.1 2.3 0
One News Colmar Brunton 6–11 September 2008 35 53 1.8 1.8 5 2 0 0
11 September 2008 – Parliament passes a law creating the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.
12 September 2008 – Helen Clark announces the election will be held 8 November 2008.
Poll Date Labour National NZ First Māori Green ACT United Future Prog
Roy Morgan Research 1–14 September 2008 36.5 47.5 5 1.5 6.5 1.5 0.5
Fairfax Media–Nielsen 10–16 September 2008 34 52 3 3 5 1
Herald-DigiPoll 15–24 September 2008 35.7 51.4 2.8 1.9 4.9 1.1 0.4 0.4
3 News TNS 18–24 September 2008 36 49 3 2 5 2 0 0
One News Colmar Brunton 27 September–2 October 2008 33 52 2.0 2.5 7 1.5 0.7 0.3
Roy Morgan Research 22 September –5 October 2008 37.5 40.5 4 2 9 3.5 1 1
3 News TNS Released 10 October 2008 39 45 2.7 2.5 6.7 1.8 0.1 0.1
One News Colmar Brunton 4–9 October 2008 33 51 2.6 2.8 8 1.6 0.1 0.3
Fairfax Media–Nielsen 8–14 October 2008 33 51 3 2 7 1 1 0
One News Colmar Brunton 11–16 October 2008 36 50 2.1 2.1 5 2.1 0.5 0.5
3 News TNS Released 23 October 2008 37.4 45.1 3.5 2.3 8.8 1.7 0.2 0.1
Poll Date Labour National NZ First Māori Green ACT United Future Prog
Roy Morgan Research 6–19 October 2008 32 43 4.5 2.5 11.5 3.5 0.5 0.5
Herald-DigiPoll 15–22 October 2008 37.0 50.4 2.1 2.4 5.4 1.2 0.2 0.3
One News Colmar Brunton 18–23 October 2008 35.0 47.0 3.0 3.0 8.0 2.0 0.4 0.0
3 News TNS Released 6 November 2008 33.1 46.0 3.4 2.7 9.0 2.8 0.2 0.3
One News Colmar Brunton 1–5 November 2008 35.0 47.0 2.4 1.3 9.0 2.5 0.4 0.4
Herald-DigiPoll 29 October–5 November 2008 36.4 47.9 3.9 2.3 5.8 1.8 0.7 0.2
Fairfax Media–Nielsen Released 7 November 2008 31 49 3 3 8 4 1
Roy Morgan Research 20 October–2 November 2008 34.5 42 4.5 2.5 10 4 1
2008 election result 8 November 2008 33.99 44.93 4.07 2.39 6.72 3.65 0.87 0.91

Preferred Prime Minister

Graphical summary

Individual polls

Poll Date Helen
Clark
Don
Brash
John
Key
Winston
Peters
TV3–TNS 27 October – 2 November 2005 43 19 8
TV3–TNS 26 January – 2 February 2006 39 16 7
TV3–TNS 23–29 March 2006 38 15 6
TV3–TNS 4–10 May 2006 34 18 6
TV3–TNS 29 June – 5 July 2006 38 13 0 6
TV3–TNS 24–30 August 2006 38 17 0 5
Herald–DigiPoll 31 August 2006 52.4 22.4 8.5 5
Herald–DigiPoll 22–24 September 2006 50.8 25.9 9.2 4.8
TV3–TNS 26 October–1 November 2006 35 15
Herald–DigiPoll 14 November–2 December 2006 54.2 3.9 28.5
TV3–TNS 25 January–1 February 2007 35 1 24 5
One News–Colmar Brunton 12–15 February 2007 32 27 3
One News–Colmar Brunton 17–22 March 2007 32 29 4
TV3–TNS 22–28 March 2007 37 1 28 4
One News–Colmar Brunton 14–19 April 2007 37 1 29 3
TV3–TNS 3–9 May 2007 30 1 32 5
Herald–DigiPoll 18–24 May 2007 42.1 45.5 5.4
One News–Colmar Brunton 19–24 May 2007 27 0.3 38 2
Poll Date Helen
Clark
Don
Brash
John
Key
Winston
Peters
One News–Colmar Brunton 30 June–5 July 2007 29 0.5 35 2
TV3–TNS 5–11 July 2007 31 1 31 4
Herald–DigiPoll 5–19 July 2007 48.7 37.9 7
One News–Colmar Brunton 4–9 August 2007 30 0.7 33 4
TV3–TNS 30 August – 5 September 2007 28 1 32 6
Fairfax Media Poll 15 September 2007 34 41 3
One News–Colmar Brunton 8–13 September 2007 33 0.3 31 4
Herald–DigiPoll 29 September 2007 46.8 42.2
One News–Colmar Brunton 6–11 October 2007 33 0.2 33 3
Herald–DigiPoll 8–28 October 2007 50.8 37.3 5
Fairfax Media Poll 17 November 2007 38 36
Herald–DigiPoll 8–26 November 2007 48.7 36.7 8.1
TV3–TNS 5–12 December 2007 28 33 6
One News–Colmar Brunton 8–13 December 2007 30 0.2 35 2
Herald–DigiPoll 10–24 January 2008 49.7 39.2 3.8
TV3–TNS 23–30 January 2008 29 33 6
One News–Colmar Brunton 9–14 February 2008 27 0.4 36 4
Fairfax Media–Nielsen 13–19 February 2008 29 44
TV3–TNS 19–26 February 2008 28 35 5
Herald–DigiPoll 11–28 February 2008 44.3 0.2 46.3 3.3
One News–Colmar Brunton 8–13 March 2008 31 36 5
Herald–DigiPoll 6–27 March 2008 45.6 45.9 3.9
Poll Date Helen
Clark
Don
Brash
John
Key
Winston
Peters
TV3–TNS 10–16 April 2008 32 29 6
One News–Colmar Brunton 12–17 April 2008 29 35 4
Fairfax Media–Nielsen 9–22 April 2008 33 42
Herald–DigiPoll 5–26 April 2008 45.3 48
Fairfax Media–Nielsen 7–13 May 2008 28 45 5
Herald–DigiPoll 5–28 May 2008 42.3 44.6 6.7
TV3–TNS 23–29 May 2008 29 35 6
One News–Colmar Brunton 24–29 May 2008 28 36 6
Fairfax Media–Nielsen 11–17 June 2008 30 43 2
One News–Colmar Brunton 14–19 June 2008 27 0.2 38 4
Fairfax Media–Nielsen 9–15 July 2008 32 39 3
One News–Colmar Brunton 12–17 July 2008 31 0.3 38 4
TV3–TNS Released 18 July 2008 28 32 6
Herald–DigiPoll Released 29 July 2008 44 47.1 4.9
Fairfax Media–Nielsen 6–12 August 2008 31 43 2
One News–Colmar Brunton 9–14 August 2008 33 36 3
TV3–TNS 14–20 August 2008 31 34 3
Herald–DigiPoll 3–25 August 2008 45 46.6 5.6
Poll Date Helen
Clark
Don
Brash
John
Key
Winston
Peters
One News-Colmar Brunton 6–11 September 2008 31 0.1 40 3
Fairfax Media–Nielsen 10–16 September 2008 30 41 2
Herald–DigiPoll 15–24 September 2008 43.1 45.5 4
TV3–TNS Released 28 September 2008 32 34
One News-Colmar Brunton 27 September–2 October 2008 31 41 3
TV3–TNS Released 10 October 2008 31.6 31
One News-Colmar Brunton 4–9 October 2008 31 39 2
Fairfax Media–Nielsen 8–14 October 2008 35 43
One News-Colmar Brunton 11–16 October 2008 34 0.1 40 2
TV3–TNS Released 23 October 2008 36.3 36.3
Herald–DigiPoll 15–22 October 2008 45.4 44.8 4.0
One News-Colmar Brunton 18–23 October 2008 37 - 38 3
One News-Colmar Brunton 1–5 November 2008 36 40 1

See also

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