Labour climbs in latest poll

The Government has regained some lost ground and National's support has slipped slightly in the latest opinion poll.

The New Zealand Morgan poll released today shows Labour up 2.5 points to 35 per cent support and National down two points to 49.5 per cent compared with a month ago.

The gap of 14.5 points between the two parties was the best opinion poll news the Government has had for some time.

Roy Morgan Research attributed the change in ratings to increased consumer confidence shown in other surveys it has conducted.

It said confidence picked up after the Reserve Bank indicated its cycle of interest rate rises was unlikely to continue.

There was little change in support for the minor parties in the latest poll, with the Greens highest at 7 per cent.

United Future and the Progressive Party were at the other end, both on 0.5 per cent.

The Government has been hammered in recent polls, the worst being the February 23 Fairfax-Neilsen survey which showed National on 55 per cent and Labour on 32 per cent - a huge 23 point gap between the main parties.

On March 3 the New Zealand Herald-DigiPoll put National on 54.5 per cent and Labour on 36.5 per cent, the gap was 18 points.

The opinion poll released today questioned 816 voters and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.2 per cent.

- NZPA