Opinion polling for the 2011 New Zealand general election

Opinion polling has been commissioned throughout the duration of the 49th New Zealand Parliament and in the leadup to the 2011 election by various organisations. The main four are Television New Zealand, 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

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

The first graph below shows trend lines averaged across all polls for parties that have consistently polled on average above the 5.0% threshold. The second graph shows the parties polling over 1% which do not consistently poll above the 5.0% threshold.

Individual polls

Poll Date National Labour Green ACT Māori Prog United
Future
NZ First Mana Con
2008 election result 8 Nov 2008 44.93 33.99 6.72 3.65 2.39 0.91 0.87 4.07 N/A
11 Nov 2008 – Phil Goff replaces Helen Clark as leader of Labour Party.
19 Nov 2008 – National Party leader John Key is sworn in as Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Roy Morgan Research 17–30 Nov 2008 44.0 32.5 9.5 4.0 3.5 0.5 1.0 3.5
Roy Morgan Research 1–14 Dec 2008 47.0 31.5 9.5 4.0 2.0 0.5 1.0 3.0
Roy Morgan Research 2–18 Jan 2009 48.0 33.0 8.0 3.0 3.5 0.5 1.0 2.5
Roy Morgan Research 19 Jan – 1 Feb 2009 48.0 31.0 9.0 3.5 3.5 0.5 1.0 3.0
Roy Morgan Research 2–15 Feb 2009 48.5 32 8.5 2.5 3.5 0.5 1 1.5
One News Colmar Brunton 14–19 Feb 2009 57.0 31.0 7.0 2.0 2.0 1.0
3 News Reid Research 18 Feb 2009 60.0 27.0 7.0 1.2 2.1 0.2 1.6
Roy Morgan Research 16 Feb – 1 Mar 2009 56 26 8.5 1.5 3.5 0.5 <0.5 2.5
Roy Morgan Research 2–15 Mar 2009 54.5 29 8 2.5 2 0.5 0.5 2
One News Colmar Brunton 28 Mar – 1 Apr 2009 56.0 28.0 6.0 3.0 3.0 1.0
Roy Morgan Research 23 Mar – 5 Apr 2009 50.5 28 9.5 4 3.5 1 <0.5 2.5
One News Colmar Brunton 5 Apr 2009 57.0 31.0 7.0 2.0 2.0
Roy Morgan Research 6–19 Apr 2009 50 32.5 8.5 2.5 3.5 0.5 <0.5 2
Roy Morgan Research 20 Apr – 3 May 2009 55 30.5 7 2 2 <0.5 0.5 2
Roy Morgan Research 4–17 May 2009 52.0 31.5 9.5 2.0 2.5 0.5 0.5 1.0
Roy Morgan Research 18–31 May 2009 52.0 31.0 8.5 2.0 2.0 0.5 0.5 1.
28 May 2009  – 2009 New Zealand budget presented to Parliament.
30 May 2009 – Metiria Turei replaces Jeanette Fitzsimons as female co-leader of the Green Party.
13 Jun 2009 – Mount Albert by-election: David Shearer retains the seat for Labour.
Roy Morgan Research 1–14 Jun 2009 52.0 33.0 7.5 2.5 2.5 0.5 0.5 1.0
Roy Morgan Research 22 Jun – 5 Jul 2009 54 31.5 8 1 3 0.5 0.5 1
Roy Morgan Research 6–19 Jul 2009 52 30 10 1 3.5 0.5 <0.5 2
One News Colmar Brunton 25–29 Jul 2009 56 31 7 1 3.1
Roy Morgan Research 20 Jul – 2 Aug 2009 53.5 34 7 2.5 1.5 0.5 <0.5 1
Roy Morgan Research 3–16 Aug 2009 53.5 32.5 8.5 1 2 0.5 <0.5 2
21 Aug 2009 – The citizens-initiated corporal punishment referendum is held, with voters responding 87.4% "No" to the question "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?"
Roy Morgan Research 17–30 Aug 2009 56.5 29.5 8 1.5 1.5 0.5 0.5 1.5
Roy Morgan Research 31 Aug – 13 Sep 2009 51.5 33 7.5 2 2.5 0.5 0.5 2.5
One News Colmar Brunton 19–24 Sep 2009 54 33 4 3 3 2
Roy Morgan Research 21 Sep – 4 Oct 2009 57.5 28 6.5 1.5 2.5 1 <0.5 2
3 News Reid Research 18 Oct 2009 59.9 27.2 6.9 1.7 2.4 1.0
Roy Morgan Research 5–18 Oct 2009 53 30 7.5 2.5 3 0.5 0.5 2.5
Roy Morgan Research 19 Oct – 1 Nov 2009 55.5 29 7.5 1 3.5 0.5 0.5 1.5
Roy Morgan Research 2–15 Nov 2009 51.5 33 6.5 2.5 2 1 <0.5 2.5
One News Colmar Brunton 21–25 Nov 2009 53 31 7 2 3 1
Roy Morgan Research 16–29 Nov 2009 53.5 30.5 7 1.5 3.5 <0.5 <0.5 2.5
26 Nov 2009 – Labour leader Phil Goff makes race-related "nationhood" speech.
3 News Reid Research 13 Dec 2009 55.2 30.8 7.8 1.8 1.7 0.1 1.5
Roy Morgan Research 30 Nov – 13 Dec 2009 54 27.5 9.5 1.5 1.5 0.5 <0.5 4
Roy Morgan Research 4–17 Jan 2010 53 30 8 2 2.5 0.5 0.5 2.5
Roy Morgan Research 18–31 Jan 2010 52 32 6 2 3 0.5 0.5 3.5
Herald-DigiPoll 29 Jan – 10 Feb 2010 56 34 4.6 <1 2.8 <1 <1 1.7
Roy Morgan Research 1–14 Feb 2010 52 33 8 1.5 2.5 0.5 <0.5 2
3 News Reid Research 16 Feb 2010 56.3 29.6 7.3 1.6 2.4 0.2 0.2 1.5
One News Colmar Brunton 14–17 Feb 2010 54 34 5 2 2 2
Roy Morgan Research 15–28 Feb 2010 53.5 31.5 8 1.5 2.5 <0.5 0.5 2
Roy Morgan Research 1–14 Mar 2010 51.5 33.5 6.5 2.5 2 1 0.5 2
Roy Morgan Research 22 Mar – 4 Apr 2010 49 33 7.5 2 3 0.5 1 3
One News Colmar Brunton 10–14 Apr 2010 54 33 5 2 2
3 News Reid Research 25 Apr 2010 52.1 33.8 8.2 1.6 1.9 0.5 1.5
Roy Morgan Research 5–18 Apr 2010 49.5 34 7.5 1 4 0.5 0.5 2.5
Roy Morgan Research 3–16 May 2010 48.5 33.5 9 2.5 2.5 0.5 0.5 3
20 May 2010  – 2010 New Zealand budget presented to Parliament.
Roy Morgan Research 17–30 May 2010 52.5 30 9.5 1 3.5 0.5 0.5 2.5
One News Colmar Brunton 30 May 2010 49.0 33.0 7.0 1.6 3.6
Roy Morgan Research 31 May – 13 Jun 2010 50.5 33 9.5 1 3 <0.5 1 1.5
Roy Morgan Research 21 Jun – 4 Jul 2010 53 29 8.5 2 3 <0.5 0.5 3
Roy Morgan Research 5–18 Jul 2010 49 31.5 9 2 3 0.5 0.5 4.5
Roy Morgan Research 19 Jul – 1 Aug 2010 51 33.5 6.5 2 3.5 0.5 0.5 2
One News Colmar Brunton 8 Aug 2010 49.0 35.0 7.0 2.7 2.3 2.3
3 News Reid Research 8 Aug 2010 54.5 30.6 8.5 2.2 1.5 0.2 1.5
Roy Morgan Research 2–15 Aug 2010 50 33.5 7.5 1.5 3 0.5 3.5
17 Aug 2010 – Chris Carter is removed from the Labour caucus and becomes an independent MP. Labour is reduced to 42 seats but the Opposition remains at 53 seats.
Roy Morgan Research 16–29 Aug 2010 49.5 32.5 8.5 1 3 1 3.5
4 Sep 2010 – A 7.1-magnitude earthquake strikes Canterbury.
Roy Morgan Research 30 Aug – 12 Sep 2010 48.5 34 8 2 1.5 0.5 1 4.5
Roy Morgan Research 20 Sep – 3 Oct 2010 49.5 36.5 8 0.5 2.5 2.5
One News Colmar Brunton 26 Sep 2010 54 32 8 1.1 2.3 2.4
Roy Morgan Research 4–17 Oct 2010 52.5 33 8.5 0.5 1.5 0.5 2.5
3 News Reid Research 11 Oct 2010 53.8 32.6 7.6 0.9 2.4 0.3 1.2
Roy Morgan Research 18–31 Oct 2010 50.5 33 8.5 1.5 3 0.5 0.5 2.5
Roy Morgan Research 1–14 Nov 2010 50 32.5 9 1 2.5 0.5 3
20 Nov 2010 – Mana by-election: Kris Faafoi retains the seat for Labour, but with a significantly reduced majority.
Roy Morgan Research 15–28 Nov 2010 51 33 7 1 3 0.5 0.5 3
Roy Morgan Research 29 Nov – 12 Dec 2010 48.5 35 7 1.5 2.5 0.5 1 3
3 News Reid Research 13 Dec 2010 55.5 31.2 7.3 1.3 1.7 0.1 1.9
One News Colmar Brunton 19 Dec 2010 55 33 4.5 0.9 2.2 3.1
Herald-DigiPoll 30 Dec 2010 52.4 37.2 5.3 0.9 1.2 2.5
Roy Morgan Research 4–16 Jan 2011 55 29 7 1.5 2.5 0.5 4.5
26 Jan 2011 – John Key announces policy of partial privatisation of some state-owned assets.
Roy Morgan Research 17–30 Jan 2011 49 34.5 6.5 1 3 5.5
2 February 2011 – John Key announces the election will be held on 26 November 2011.
Roy Morgan Research 31 Jan – 13 Feb 2011 52.5 33.5 8.5 0.5 1.5 0.5 2.5
One News Colmar Brunton 20 Feb 2011 51 33 8 1.3 2.3 3.6
3 News Reid Research 20 Feb 2011 54.6 30.9 8.2 0.6 2.3 3.3
Roy Morgan Research 14–27 Feb 2011 49 35 8 1.5 3 3
22 Feb 2011 – A 6.3-magnitude earthquake strikes Canterbury, with 181 casualties.
23 Feb 2011 – Hone Harawira defects from Maori Party to become an independent MP, and later forming the Mana Party. Government majority reduced from 16 to 14 seats; Maori Party reduced to four seats.
5 Mar 2011 – Botany by-election: Jami-Lee Ross retains the seat for National, but with a reduced majority.
Roy Morgan Research 28 Feb – 13 Mar 2011 52.5 32.5 8 0.5 1.5 0.5 4
Roy Morgan Research 21 Mar – 3 Apr 2011 51 31.5 8 2 1.5 0.5 5
One News Colmar Brunton 10 Apr 2011 54 34 6 1.1 1.4 2.7
3 News Reid Research 17 Apr 2011 57.5 27.1 7.7 1.7 2.5 0.2 2.8
Roy Morgan Research 4–17 Apr 2011 51 32 8 1 3.5 0.5 0.5 3
30 Apr 2011 – Don Brash replaces Rodney Hide as leader of the ACT Party.
Roy Morgan Research 18 Apr – 1 May 2011 52.5 31 7.5 1 2 0.5 0.5 4.5
Roy Morgan Research 2–15 May 2011 53 28 10 2 2 0.5 0.5 3
19 May 2011  – 2011 New Zealand budget is presented to Parliament.
Herald-DigiPoll 19–25 May 2011 54.4 33.7 5.5 1.7 1.5 0 0 2.7
One News Colmar Brunton 29 May 2011 52 34 6 2.5 1.4 1.6 0.9
3 News Reid Research 29 May 2011 53.0 32.8 6.5 2.2 1.6 0.2 2.4 0.5
Roy Morgan Research 16–29 May 2011 49 36 6.5 1.5 2.5 0.5 2.5
Roy Morgan Research 30 May – 12 Jun 2011 53 30 7 3 3 0.5 2.5
Roy Morgan Research 13–26 Jun 2011 54 30.5 5.5 2.5 3 0.5 3.5
25 Jun 2011 – Te Tai Tokerau by-election: Hone Harawira is re-elected under the Mana Party.
Herald-DigiPoll 27 Jun 2011 51.2 36.1 6.6 1.9 1.7 1.2 0.5
Roy Morgan Research 27 Jun – 10 Jul 2011 49 33.5 7.5 3 2.5 0.5 3
3 News Reid Research 10 Jul 2011 55.1 29.9 9.1 1.7 0.8 0.0 2.2 0.7
14 Jul 2011 – Labour releases their proposed tax package, including the introduction of a capital gains tax.
One News Colmar Brunton 17 Jul 2011 53 27 10 3.1 3 0.3 2.4 0.5
Roy Morgan Research 11–24 Jul 2011 52 31.5 7.5 2 3 0.5 2.5 0.5
Fairfax Media–Research International 21–25 Jul 2011 56 29 6.4 2.2 1.2 0.2 2.0 0.2
Herald-DigiPoll 30 Jul 2011 52.3 33.1 8.3 1.4 2.0 0.9 0.6
Roy Morgan Research 25 Jul – 7 Aug 2011 51.5 32 7 2 1.5 0.5 4 0.5
One News Colmar Brunton 21 Aug 2011 56 30 6 1.7 1.4 0.5 2.3 0.9
3 News Reid Research 21 Aug 2011 54.0 28.8 9.3 2.2 1.5 0.0 2.2 0.9
Herald-DigiPoll 19–26 Aug 2011 52 31.5 9.8 1.2 1.8 0.1 2.4 0.2
Roy Morgan Research 15 – 28 Aug 2011 52 29.5 9 2 1.5 0.5 3.5 1
Fairfax Media–Research International 25–29 Aug 2011 57.1 25.7 11.0 1.1 1.6 0.1 2.2 0.6
Roy Morgan Research 29 Aug – 11 Sep 2011 57 26 7.5 1.5 2.5 0.5 3.5 1
9 September 2011 – The 2011 Rugby World Cup opens in Auckland, with unexpected overcrowding of the Auckland Waterfront fan zone and transport delays resulting in some people missing the opening ceremony and game.
13 September 2011 – The Government takes control of the Auckland Waterfront fan zone from Auckland Council.
Roy Morgan Research 12 – 25 Sep 2011 51 30.5 11.5 1.5 2.5 0.5 1 0.5
30 Sep 2011 – Credit agencies Fitch and Standard & Poor's both downgrade New Zealand's long-term credit rating from AA+ to AA.
Fairfax Media–Research International 28 Sep 2011 54 28 10 1.5 1.3 0.4 2.3 0.2
One News Colmar Brunton 2 Oct 2011 56 29 9 1.3 1.1 0.0 1.9 0.6
3 News Reid Research 2 Oct 2011 57.4 26.6 9.8 1.6 0.8 0.0 1.9 0.
Roy Morgan Research 26 Sep – 9 Oct 2011 55.5 28 9.5 1.5 2 0.5 2 0.5
5 Oct 2011 – MV Rena runs aground on the Astrolabe Reef causing an oil spill in Tauranga, described as New Zealand's worst environmental disaster.
Roy Morgan Research 10–23 Oct 2011 53.5 29.5 9.5 1 2 1 2.5 0.5
26 Oct 2011 – Writ Day: The writ of election is issued by the Chief Justice on behalf of the Governor General, instructing the Electoral Commission to conduct the election. Electoral roll closes for printing with 3.01 million eligible voters.[note a] Main campaigning season begins.
Herald-DigiPoll 20–27 Oct 2011 53.5 30.3 9.5 1.5 1.2 0.1 2.8 0.1
3 News Reid Research 30 Oct 2011 52.3 30.2 9.4 1.5 1.4 0.0 2.4 0.9
Fairfax Media–Research International 27–31 Oct 2011 52.6 31.3 9.7 1.2 1.2 0.2 0.1 1.5 1.1
Herald-DigiPoll 28 Oct – 2 Nov 2011 54.2 29.1 10.1 0.9 1.9 0.5 1.7 0.1 1.1
One News Colmar Brunton 3 Nov 2011 56 30 9 0.9 1.3 0.1 2.2 0.3
Roy Morgan Research 24 Oct – 6 Nov 2011 53 26 12 1 2 0 4.5 1.0
Fairfax Media–Research International 3–7 Nov 2011 52.5 25.9 12.6 1.0 1.5 0.2 0.3 2.8 0.7
Herald-DigiPoll 3–9 Nov 2011 49.5 28.7 12.6 1.5 0.5 0.7 3.7 0.7 1
One News Colmar Brunton 10 Nov 2011 54 28 9 1.5 2.1 0.8 2.9 0.2 0.5
3 News Reid Research 13 Nov 2011 53.3 29.9 10.2 0.7 1.4 0.0 2.4 1.0
11 Nov 2011 – A potentially damaging conversation between John Key and political ally John Banks is recorded without their knowledge.
Herald-DigiPoll 10–16 Nov 2011 49.9 29.1 12.6 1.7 0.7 0.1 4.9 0.4 0.6
One News Colmar Brunton 17 Nov 2011 51 26 13 1.6 1.6 0.3 2.2 1.3 1.4
3 News Reid Research 17 Nov 2011 50.2 27.4 13.0 1.8 1.3 0.0 3.5 1.0 1.1
Roy Morgan Research 7 – 18 Nov 2011 53 24.5 13 1.5 3 0 3 1.0
Fairfax Media–Research International 17 – 21 Nov 2011 54.0 26.0 12.0 0.7 1.1 0.0 0.1 4.0 1.1
Herald-DigiPoll 17 – 23 Nov 2011 50.9 28.0 11.8 1.8 0.4 0.0 5.2 0.3 1.3
One News Colmar Brunton 24 Nov 2011 50 28 10 1.7 2.0 0.1 4.2 1.0 2.4
3 News Reid Research 24 Nov 2011 50.8 26.0 13.4 1.0 1.5 0.0 3.1 1.1 1.8
Roy Morgan Research [note b] 22 – 24 Nov 2011 49.5 23.5 14.5 1.5 1 0.5 6.5 0.5
26 Nov 2011 – Election Day: A total of 3,049,212 voters were registered to vote in the election. A total of 2,257,336 votes were cast, including the 188,730 advance votes, with a turnout of 73.5%.
2011 election result 26 Nov 2011 47.31 27.48 11.06 1.07 1.43 [note c] 0.60 6.59 1.08 2.65
Poll Date National Labour Green ACT Māori Prog United
Future
NZ First Mana Con
  • ^[note a] Voters enrolling after this date could still vote in the general election, but were not included on the printed roll and had to cast special declaration votes.
  • ^[note b] The two graphs near the top of the page include data up to and including this poll.
  • ^[note c] The Progressive Party did not contest the 2011 election.

Preferred prime minister

Individual polls

Poll Date John
Key
Helen
Clark
Phil
Goff
Winston
Peters
Colmar Brunton 14–19 Feb 2009 51 6 2
Colmar Brunton 28 Mar – 1 Apr 2009 51 6 1
TV ONE Colmar Brunton 5 Apr 2009 51 9 6
Colmar Brunton 25–29 Jul 2009 54 7 2
3 News-Reid Research 18 Oct 2009 51.6 8.2 4.7 3.0
ONE News Colmar Brunton 21–25 Nov 2009 54 5 2
26 Nov 2009 – Labour leader Phil Goff makes race-related "nationhood" speech.
3 News-Reid Research 13 Dec 2009 49.9 6.1 8.0 2.1
Herald Digipoll 29 Jan – 10 Feb 2010 58 7 6.8
ONE News Colmar Brunton 10–14 Apr 2010 48 8
ONE News Colmar Brunton May 2010 46 6
ONE News Colmar Brunton 8 Aug 2010 45 9
3 News-Reid Research 8 Aug 2010 48.7 2.3 7.4 3.7
ONE News Colmar Brunton 26 Sep 2010 52 8
One News-Colmar Brunton 19 Dec 2010 49.1 6.8 4.9
3 News-Reid Research 20 Feb 2011 49.1 6.8 4.9
ONE News Colmar Brunton 20 Feb 2011 48 2 7 3
One News-Colmar Brunton 10 Apr 2011 55 11 3
3 News-Reid Research 17 Apr 2011 52.4 6.8
Herald Digipoll 27 May 2011 67.7 11.9
One News-Colmar Brunton 29 May 2011 53 8
3 News-Reid Research 29 May 2011 48.2 7.6
One News-Colmar Brunton 17 Jul 2011 54 9
Herald Digipoll 30 Jul 2011 70.3 7.9 9.3 2.9
One News-Colmar Brunton 21 Aug 2011 57 8
Herald Digipoll 29 Oct 2011 70.6 13.7 3.5
One News-Colmar Brunton 3 Nov 2011 56 12
Fairfax Media-Research International 17–21 Nov 2011 51.5 12.5 3.5
Poll Date John
Key
Helen
Clark
Phil
Goff
Winston
Peters

Other polls

Epsom electorate vote

Poll Date John
Banks
Paul
Goldsmith
David
Parker
David
Hay
2008 election result 8 November 2008 56.1[a] 21.8[a] 13.6[a] 7.4[a]
New Zealand Herald-Key Research 9 October 2011 18.9 32.9 4.3 1
Fairfax Media Research International 17 November 2011 29.1 45.5 14.6 7.7
One News Colmar Brunton 14–17 November 2011 30 41 17 11
2011 general election, final result 26 November 2011 44.10 37.80 10.45 6.01

^[a] The candidates in the 2008 general election were Rodney Hide, Richard Worth, Kate Sutton, and Keith Locke respectively.

Voting method referendum

Concern over validity

A new polling company, Horizon, has challenged some of the existing polls' validity as they exclude undecided voters and those who chose not to vote. Horizon claim that this may be up to 30% in some polls. However, Horizon's own polling methods have been criticised for their use of a self-selected internet panel. At the 2008 election only the Green Party gained a proportion of the party vote outside (below) what poll trends would suggest.

See also

wikipedia, wiki, encyclopedia, book, library, article, read, free download, Information about Opinion polling for the 2011 New Zealand general election, What is Opinion polling for the 2011 New Zealand general election? What does Opinion polling for the 2011 New Zealand general election mean?