In brief
A poll from The Post/Freshwater Strategy shows Labour ahead of National by a narrow margin, while a survey by Ipsos highlights the cost of living as the top concern for voters. The ruling coalition is projected to fall short of an outright majority, making the election a likely coalition decision.
On November 6, 2026, Xinhua reported that New Zealand’s general election, scheduled for Saturday November 11, is entering a tight contest as voters prioritize the cost of living, healthcare and fuel prices, according to recent surveys.
The Post/Freshwater Strategy poll, released the previous Friday, named Labour slightly ahead at 30.7 percent, compared with National’s 26.4 percent. Support for the coalition’s partners ACT and New Zealand First stood at 9.8 percent and 12 percent, respectively. The opposition bloc reached 55 seats in a 120-seat parliament, while the ruling coalition held 59 seats, two short of the 61 needed to govern alone, according to the poll’s projection.
Ipsos surveyed 1,008 New Zealanders aged 18 and older and found that 64 percent cited the cost of living and inflation among their top three concerns, followed by 45 percent naming healthcare and 31 percent noting fuel prices. Fuel costs rose sharply from seventh to third place in the ranking, reflecting growing discontent.
New Zealand will open more than 2,300 voting places nationwide on election day, with official results expected to be declared on November 27.
The tight race and the prominent role of cost‑of‑living issues suggest that the outcome could hinge on which party best addresses voters’ economic worries.
