Azaria Howell: Newstalk ZB reporter on NZ First seeing boost in Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll

NZ First is starting the election on a high note, recording its best-ever result in the Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll out today.

The poll results, if reflected on election day, would see the current coalition Government re-elected, but National continues to trail Labour in the party vote.

The highest jump in the poll has been recorded by NZ First, who are up 3.8 points to 11.9 percent - its highest-ever result since the poll began in January 2021.

Newstalk ZB reporter Azaria Howell says this is a significant development for NZ First.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Vazaria. How's with us now, senior political correspondents. I'm welling
to Zari.

Speaker 2 (00:03):
Good afternoon, good afternoon, Good to be with you.

Speaker 1 (00:05):
And this poll has got Winston probably I mean he
doesn't like Poles, but probably celebrating.

Speaker 2 (00:10):
Anyway, a new year, a new poll. This is a
big one Rattana obviously taking place tomorrow. The election date
was announced yesterday. Seems like parties are trying to shape
up how the campaign is going to look. Let's get
into it, as you say, huge gains for New Zealand. First,
a record high for that party eleven point nine percent,

(00:31):
so well into the double digits, and a rise of
three point eight percent in terms of that compared to
the last poll. Labor is up two point eight percent
to thirty four point four. National is up one and
a half percent to thirty one point five. The Greens, though,
have seen the biggest drop. They're down three point one
points to seven point seven percent. Meanwhile, Actors down one

(00:52):
point nine points. They're below the Greens, they're on seven percent,
Tepati Maori setting on three percent. The poll would see
the coalition rear elected, but it does come with the
fact that National is behind labor on party vote numbers.
The big headline of this though huge momentum for New Zealand.

Speaker 1 (01:09):
First absolutely now in government's books are looking better than expected.

Speaker 2 (01:13):
It's good news today for the government's books. Treasuries released
the interim financial statements for the five months to the
end of November. Things are looking better than initially thought so.
Crunching the numbers, the operating balance was that at a
surplus of three and a half billion dollars. That's compared
to a forecast deficit of zero point two billion. Although

(01:35):
the debt to GDP ratio is still not on target,
the government is wanting it to track below forty percent.
The latest numbers show net core crown debt was nine
hundred million dollars, lower than forecast, but it is at
forty one point six percent of GDP. The forecast, though,
did estimate this to be at forty one point nine percent,

(01:55):
so it is a better result than expectations, something not unexpected.
There's worth pointing out superannuation. It appears to be significantly
to blame for core crown expenses being higher in the
twenty twenty five period than the same period the year prior.
A two billion dollar increase, and notably social security and
welfare expenses increase by one point one billion dollars, a

(02:19):
whole billion of that due to superannuation payments, essentially a
growing number of people becoming eligible for the pension.

Speaker 1 (02:27):
My dad's in that camp. You just got a gold
card sent in the mail, is gloating about it.

Speaker 2 (02:33):
Meanwhile, I'm sure that debate will kick off as well
around the election in terms of the superage. It always does.
And you'd have to think one point one billion dollars
one billion of them, you'd probably expect the debate.

Speaker 1 (02:45):
They don't deserve it, Zaria, they don't deserve it. Of
politicians heating at Arta tomorrow, what are we expecting to
see there?

Speaker 2 (02:52):
Yeah, that's in a very significant essentially marks the start
of the political year. MP's planning to gather in the
Central North Island Pass that is near Wanganui. It is
a really significant political leader though, has decided not to
attend this year's Ratana church celebrations that is Odawiti Way City.
He's the co leader of Tepati Mali. He's posted on

(03:14):
social media saying he made the decision not to travel
there this year. He's going to remain in Wyotiki to
support any recovery needs from that severe weather. No final
call yet from the Prime Minister on if he will
be able to make it given that severe weather. We
will keep you updated on those plans, but currently it
is believed that Luxon is planning to attend. Chris Hopkins

(03:36):
also planning to be there, as are Winston Peters and
the co leaders of the Greens. A really important time
last year saw David Seymour skip out and he held
a speech about his Treaty Principles Bill at the same time.
Given its election year, we might see some of the
same tactics or similar tactics again a bit of politeching,
as Seymour is notably not a fan of the event.

(03:57):
So first up it's Thattna. After that we'll have our
eyes on White Tonguey as the next big event.

Speaker 1 (04:02):
Cheers, Azariah, good to have you on as always. Zaria
how Senior political correspondent for News Talks, it'd be for
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