Jacinda Ardern says in debate with PM she is taking nothing for granted after poll gives her party a two-point advantage

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

The New Zealand Labour party has continued its extraordinary surge under the month-old leadership of Jacinda Ardern, with a new poll putting its support at a 10-year high and for the first time ahead of the governing National party in campaigning for September’s general election. WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Three weeks before a general election, the dramatic rise of New Zealand opposition leader Jacinda Ardern has been highlighted by an opinion poll that puts her liberal party ahead of the ruling conservatives for the first time in more than a decade. Commissioned by Television New Zealand, the poll indicated that Ardern’s Labour Party is favored by 43 percent of voters, compared to 41 percent who favor the incumbent National Party, led by Prime Minister Bill English. It is the first time Labour has polled better than National since 2006 and means the centre-left party's support has soared 19 points since Ardern took over earlier this month.The charismatic 37-year-old also edged ahead of Prime Minister Bill English as preferred leader, 34 percent to 33. Some New Zealanders are describing the new mood as “Jacinda-mania,” and the 37-year-old’s rapid ascent as similar to that achieved by other young, charismatic leaders such as President Emmanuel Macron in France and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Canada. National fell three points to 41 per cent, its lowest result since 2005, in a poll commissioned by 1 News and published on its website only an hour before Mr English and Ms Ardern face off in a debate.
The Labour Party, led by Jacinda Ardern, surges in the polls and is neck-and-neck with the National Party, led by Bill English, for the race for Prime Minister of New Zealand.