John Key

Wellington, Feb 22 NZPA - Another poll shows National's honeymoon with the public remains passionate, with support increasing since the election.

The TV One News Colmar Brunton poll tonight put Labour on 56 percent support compared to Labour languishing on 28 percent. A TV3 poll last week also had National support soaring -- it put National on 60 percent and Labour at 27 percent.

TV One's last poll in November just before the election had National on 47 percent and Labour at 35.

In today's poll, the Green Party was down 3 points on 6 percent; the Maori Party gained support, up from 1.3 percent to 3.4; and ACT did marginally better on 3.1 percent up from 2.5. New Zealand First is no longer in Parliament but scored 1.4 percent support.

John Key scored 51 percent support as preferred prime minister while the woman he took the job from, Helen Clark, scored 10 percent. She is no longer Labour leader after Phil Goff took the job. Mr Goff scored only 6 percent.

On the poll's results, National would have 70 seats in Parliament and Labour 35. The Greens would have two fewer with seven. Other minor parties would remain largely unchanged but ACT would have one less MP.

Labour's election night result was 33.9 percent which gave it 43 seats.

The poll of 1007 voters was done over February 14-19. It has a margin of error of 3.1 percent.

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