Support for National steady despite by-election defeat

Winston Peters, MP for Northland. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The National Party's support has remained steady despite its defeat in the Northland by-election, a new poll shows.

A TVNZ Colmar-Brunton poll released tonight showed National was backed by 49 per cent of respondents - no change since the previous poll in February.

Labour also remained steady on 31 per cent and Greens fell one point to 9 per cent.

New Zealand First rose one point to 7 per cent following leader Winston Peters' big win in the Northland by-election last month.

The poll was taken between April 14-18 and had a margin of error of 3.6 per cent.

Mr Key told Newstalk ZB today the numbers were consistent with the party's internal polling.

"Essentially our national numbers are very, very good and they have been."

But he said with the Budget coming up next month, there was still a lot of work ahead of them.

There was no sense that voters were turning against the party, Mr Key said.

"Out there in 'voterland', if you like, the reaction's very, very strong and it has been for, frankly, since the election."

The economy was doing well and the public could see that, he said.