New Zealand's right-leaning coalition government continues to enjoy the support of Kiwis, and would win a second term if an election was held this month.
Chris Luxon's National party has 38 per cent support from the electorate in a new TVNZ-Verian poll released on Monday, with the first-term prime minister enjoying a bump in personal support.
All three coalition parties - National, ACT (on seven per cent) and NZ First (on six per cent) - were unchanged from the last poll two months ago, and together would win a majority in parliament.
Main opposition party Labour was on 30 per cent (up one), with its potential partners the Greens on 11 (down two) and the Maori Party on four (up one).
The TVNZ-Verian poll is considered the most authoritative public poll, but the government is a long way from having its bona fides tested, with the next election due in late 2026.
Mr Luxon also betters Labour leader Chris Hipkins - who took over as prime minister from Jacinda Ardern for nine months before losing the October 2023 election - as preferred prime minister.
Mr Hipkins is the top choice of just 18 per cent of Kiwis to be prime minister, with Mr Luxon on 28, Greens co-leader Chloe Swarbrick on 7 and NZ First leader Winston Peters on 5.
However, the preferred prime minister question is considered less important to a personal favourability, and on that measure, Mr Luxon is battling.
Nine months in, the 54-year-old has a favourability score of minus five, meaning more Kiwis disapprove of his job than approve.
In contrast, previous prime ministers Jacinda Ardern (plus 55), John Key (plus 56) and Helen Clark (plus 36) enjoyed strong support at this stage of their tenure.
The prime minister and other leaders spent Monday at the Turangawaewae marae in the Waikato region, commemorating the 18th anniversary of the Maori King's ascension.
The government's policies for Maori are one of the most contentious elements, as confirmed by another TVNZ poll question.
Asked whether the government was increasing or reducing racial tensions, 46 per cent said tensions were growing, and just 10 per cent said not.
LATEST TVNZ-VERIAN POLITICAL POLL RESULTS
National - 38 per cent (steady)
Labour - 30 (up one)
Greens - 11 (down two)
ACT - 7 (steady)
NZ First - 6 (steady)
Maori Party - 4 (up one)
