Two new polls show a rise in support for New Zealand's Labour Party after the resignation of former prime minister Jacinda Ardern and the appointment of Chris Hipkins as the new leader.
The polls, conducted by 1 News Kantar and Newshub-Reid Research, both show the Labour Party at 38%, just ahead of the centre-right National Party, marking the first time Labour has been ahead for almost a year.
New Zealand's Labour Party has experienced a rise in popularity following the resignation of Jacinda Ardern and the appointment of Chris Hipkins as the new prime minister and leader.
Two new polls, carried out by 1 News Kantar and Newshub-Reid Research, both show the Labour Party at 38%, surpassing the centre-right National Party which is sitting at 37%, after months of political turmoil over Covid restrictions, housing, living costs and crime.
The results indicate a new era in New Zealand's political landscape, with the National Party having been in power for most of the past decade.
While some attribute the boost in popularity to Hipkins' leadership style, others suggest that the polls may not accurately reflect the response to the recent flooding crisis in Auckland, which occurred after the polls were conducted.
Despite differences in their characterisations of the situation, both sources agree that the new polls mark a significant change in New Zealand politics.