Voters’ approval of how Christopher Luxon is handling his job as Prime Minister has fallen compared to nearly a year ago according to the latest 1News Verian poll.
Luxon, National Party leader, also scores below Opposition Labour leader Chris Hipkins.
The PM attracted an approval rating of -7 in the poll, while his opponent Hipkins’ popularity increased – going from +13 nearly a year ago, up by 3 points to +16 in the latest poll.
Luxon’s figure is a two-point drop from his approval rating of -5 last June.
However, in the preferred PM stakes, Luxon remains ahead on 23%, compared to Hipkins’ 20%.
The poll asked 1000 eligible voters whether they approved or disapproved of the way Luxon was handling the top job.
The proportion who approved was 40%, while 47% disapproved and 13% didn’t know or preferred not to say.
The poll also asked if people approved or disapproved of the way Chris Hipkins was handling his job as leader of the Labour Party.
For Hipkins, 49% approved, 33% disapproved and 18% didn’t know or preferred not to say.
The approval rating is calculated by subtracting the disapproves from the approves.
Groups more likely to back the PM included National Party supporters (81%), those with a household earning over $150,000 (53%), men between 35-54 (51% )and people of Asian descent (50%).
Whereas those that back Hipkins included Labour Party supporters (79%) and Pacific peoples (70%).
MPs react
The figures come from the latest 1News Verian poll. (Source: 1News)
Several MPs were asked today how they thought their leaders were performing.
Views on Luxon
Referring to the interview that the Prime Minister did with Newstalk ZB on Andrew Bayly’s resignation last month, National MP and Deputy Speaker Barbara Kuriger said: “He could definitely improve on his communication at times like that.”
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey said: “I think we can do better – that’s called being human.”
National MP for Banks Peninsula Vanessa Weenink was more complimentary, saying: “He’s one of the best leaders I’ve come across and I’ve worked with leaders in war. I would follow him anywhere.”
National MP for Whanganui Carl Bates said: “I think he’s getting that cut through because that’s what I’m hearing on the ground.”
Members from other parties were not so flattering of Luxon.
Labour List MP Peeni Henare said: “His communication style doesn’t resonate [with] Kiwis, certainly the ones I’m talking to anyway.”
When asked if he had any advice for the Prime Minister, Labour MP for Christchurch Central Duncan Webb said he should “retire”.
NZ First MP and Minister Mark Patterson said he had no comment when asked about Luxon’s performance as Prime Minister.
Views on Hipkins
Labour Leader Chris Hipkins also received support from his colleagues.
MP for Maungakiekie Priyanca Radhakrishnan said: “Chippy’s experienced, he’s been around for a while, he’s been a minister through some tough times.”
Labour List MP Deborah Russell said: “I think Chris is a pretty straight speaker, which is good, he’s an ordinary guy, he’s pretty down to earth.”
Prior to the announcement of his resignation, List MP David Parker said Hipkins was “very credible” as leader.
Members from other parties, however, weren’t sounding Hipkins’ praises.
National MP for Waitaki Miles Anderson called him “weak”.
MP for Northland Grant McCallum said Labour needs to “sort out its own issues.”
And Finance Minister Nicola Willis said she was “yet to see any policy” from Hipkins.
See the full results for Luxon here and for Hipkins here
Between March 29 and April 2 2025, 1000 eligible voters were polled by mobile phone (500) and online, using online panels (500). The maximum sampling error is approximately ±3.1%-points at the 95% confidence level. Party support percentages have been rounded up or down to whole numbers, except those less than 4.5%, which are reported to one decimal place. The data has been weighted to align with Stats NZ population counts for age, gender, region, ethnic identification and education level. The sample for mobile phones is selected by random dialling using probability sampling, and the online sample is collected using an online panel. Undecided voters, non-voters and those who refused to answer are excluded from the data on party support. The results are a snapshot in time of party support, and not a prediction.