The Government bloc has clawed its way back into a governing position, driven by a sharp surge in support for New Zealand First in the latest political polling.
A new Taxpayers’ Union–Curia poll shows New Zealand First jumping to 13.6 percent, a record high in the series, with gains of nearly four points in just one month.
National also lifted to 29.8 percent while ACT rose to 9.0 percent, combining to push the centre-right coalition back into majority territory if an election were held today.
The rebound marks a significant turnaround in what has been a volatile polling environment leading into the 2026 election year, with earlier surveys showing a tight contest between the governing parties and the Labour-led opposition.
The latest numbers suggest renewed momentum for the coalition of National, ACT and New Zealand First, which has governed since 2023 under the mixed-member proportional system that typically requires multi-party support to secure a majority in Parliament.
New Zealand First’s surge is particularly notable given its kingmaker history in New Zealand politics, where it has previously determined which major party forms government.
The poll was the first conducted since the Government announced its fuel security plan, with the results indicating a potential lift in support following that policy move.
Despite the coalition’s improved position, the broader polling landscape remains fluid, with recent surveys showing fluctuating support and ongoing voter uncertainty heading toward the November 2026 general election.
