Poll shows New Zealand ruling party still in lead

The latest opinion poll has shown that New Zealand ruling Labor Party has 11 point lead over its main opposition National Party as the general election will be held no more than six months away.

A One News/Colmar Brunton survey on Sunday showed Labor on 46 percent, up two points on the same poll a month ago. National slipped four points to 35 percent, leaving an 11 point gap between the main parties, according to The Dominion Post Monday.

The five point gap in One News' February poll was out of line, however, with other surveys, which had shown a gap of about 10 points.

Sunday's poll had NZ First Party steady on 5 percent and the Greens Party up one, also on 5 percent.

In the preferred prime minister rankings, Helen Clark was steady on 40 percent but National Party leader Don Brash fell three points to 16 percent.

Approval of the government's performance fell to 48 percent from 55 percent a month ago. Disapproval rose from 30 percent to 34 percent.

Those feeling the economy would improve in the next 12 months fell 10 points to 32 percent. For the first time in many months they were outnumbered by those who thought the economy would get worse - up from 25 percent to 35 percent.

Source: Xinhua