Labour Maintains Lead as National Gains Ground in Poll

Labour continues to lead on key issues in New Zealand, according to the latest Ipsos Issues Monitor. While the Labour Party maintains its advantage across the majority of significant concerns, the National Party has improved its standing regarding the economy and the cost of living. Following a previous record low, the government’s overall performance rating has also rebounded, reflecting a shift in public sentiment.

The quarterly survey, conducted between February 11 and 18, 2026, involved 1,000 New Zealanders aged 18 and older. Participants were asked to identify the three most pressing issues facing the country and which political parties they believed were most capable of addressing these challenges. Labour emerged as the preferred party for three of the top five issues, tying with National on a fourth. Overall, Labour leads in addressing 14 of the top 20 issues identified by respondents.

Public response indicates that Labour is viewed as best equipped to handle inflation and the cost of living, healthcare, and housing. Meanwhile, National is perceived as the most capable party concerning law and order. In a notable shift, Labour had previously overtaken National in economic issues, but both parties are now in a close competition, each receiving 32% approval from respondents.

Among the other significant issues, Labour is ahead on unemployment, poverty and inequality, drug and alcohol abuse, petrol prices, education, immigration, household personal debt, race relations, transport infrastructure, taxation, and population concerns. Conversely, National is recognised for its competence in areas such as defence, foreign affairs, and terrorism. The Greens lead on climate change, while Te Pāti Māori is seen as best positioned to address Māori issues.

The cost of living remains the foremost concern for New Zealanders, with 59% identifying it as a key issue, slightly down from 61% in the previous survey. Within this context, 35% of respondents believe Labour is best suited to manage this issue, a slight decrease from the previous 36%. National has gained traction, rising to 28%, up from 24%.

Healthcare ranks as the second most critical issue, with Labour receiving 37% of the public’s confidence, while National has improved its standing to 25%, narrowing the gap significantly from a 19-point deficit in the last survey.

Notably, petrol prices have entered the top ten issues of concern, and immigration has climbed four positions to joint eleventh. Despite the country’s experience with severe weather events over the summer, climate change did not see any increase in its significance among public concerns.

The government’s performance rating has improved to 4.2, recovering from a record low of 3.9 in the previous survey. While this rating reflects an upward trend, it remains below the 4.7 recorded in October 2024 and well off the survey’s peak of 7.6 achieved by the Labour-led coalition in May 2020.

The Ipsos survey was designed to ensure a representative sample, with results carrying a credibility interval of ±3.5 percentage points. This data provides a snapshot of the current political landscape in New Zealand as both major parties prepare for the upcoming electoral challenges.