Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins has described the upcoming New Zealand general election as 'very, very close,' following the release of a new RNZ-Reid Research poll that shows a decline in support for the National Party-led coalition.
The poll, conducted in early July 2026, indicates that if an election were held today, the coalition would not secure enough seats to form a government. According to the survey, Labour and its potential partners have gained ground, though the exact margins remain subject to verification.
Hipkins made the comments during a campaign stop in Auckland, emphasizing that every vote will count. 'We're seeing a tightening race, and it's clear that New Zealanders are weighing their options carefully,' he said.
The National Party has not yet commented on the poll results. Political analysts note that the election, scheduled for later this year, remains highly competitive with several weeks of campaigning left.
