Poll says four MPs on cards

MP Hone Harawira.

According to the most recent New Zealand Herald DigiPoll Rotorua could end up with four MPs representing the Rotorua and Waiariki electorates.

New Zealand First has broken the 5 per cent threshold for the first time this election period and was up 0.7 per cent to 5 per cent, meaning the party's Rotorua candidate Fletcher Tabuteau would have a seat in Parliament on the list.

Assuming Hone Harawira wins his electorate seat, Mana Movement candidate for Waiariki Annette Sykes would also get into Parliament on the list along with Laila Harre and John Minto.

According to the poll released yesterday, Internet Mana was up 1.3 per cent to 3.4 per cent.

The Maori Party is also up 0.3 per cent to 1 per cent, but at that level Te Ururoa Flavell must win the Waiariki seat to stay in Parliament.

Rotorua Labour candidate Tamati Coffey looks like he will have to win the seat outright after the poll found support for the party had continued to drop with Labour now at 24.1 per cent, down from 30.5 per cent in June. Mr Coffey needs his party to receive 34 per cent for him to get into Parliament.

Support for Colin Craig's Conservatives has risen 0.7 to 3.3 per cent and would not have MPs in Parliament at that level.

ACT sits on 0.3 per cent, down 0.3 per cent from the last poll.

The National Party is on 50.7 per cent, up 0.7 per cent and the Greens down 2.3 per cent to 11.4 per cent.

If poll results remain constant up until September 20, Rotorua would have two MPs - whoever wins the electorate and Mr Tabuteau on the list.

Waiariki would also end up with two MPs, if Mr Flavell wins his Waiariki seat he would be joined in Parliament by Ms Sykes on the list.

The poll of 750 eligible voters was conducted between August 21 and 27. The party vote is of decided voters only and 7.9 per cent were undecided compared to 12.5 per cent last week.