A Herald-DigiPoll survey has confirmed speculation that genetic modification will be one of the election's most potent issues.
It found more than half of voters would be influenced by where political parties stand on GM when they cast their vote. Almost 7 per cent of those polledsaid they would make their decision solely on the GM issue. A further 44.6 per cent said their vote would be "influenced somewhat".
Just over 46 per cent said genetic modification would play no role in their voting.
Helen Clark said the 44.6 per cent group showed scope for National voters to switch to Labour in protest at the Greens' stand on GM.
She believed as much as 5 per cent of the vote, or a fifth of the National vote, could go Labour's way.
Ms Fitzsimons said National votes were also bleeding to the Green Party because of a desire among voters to keep New Zealand's environment GM-free.
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