NZ First poll shows Labour coalition more likely now than ever

New Zealand First’s East Coast candidate, Mere Takoko, has revealed that her party’s internal polling shows Labour’s Moana Mackey is just 2 percent away from winning the East Coast electorate seat from incumbent Anne Tolley.

The former business journalist says she believes Kim Dotcom’s revelations tomorrow regarding the GCSB will be a game-changer pushing the Labour coalition “over the line.”

“This is consistent with current polls that show National is losing its lead. The Labour coalition only requires a less than 3% swing to the left,” says Ms Takoko.

“National and their current partners are likely to fall short of 60 seats, leaving New Zealand First in the position of kingmaker.”

Ms Takoko says she is concerned by the results and will register her ballot “for farmers and small-medium businesses owners” on Tuesday at 12pm ahead of the September 20th election.

“Our farmers and small-medium businesses are sinking under a paper of bureaucracy and they can expect more taxes under a National or Labour led Government.

“We have always supported a lower dollar for exporters which is good news for farmers. We will also cut their tax rate from 28c to 20c,” says Ms Takoko.

New Zealand First believes Labour’s ill-timed and ill-informed capital gains tax of 15% will drive some investors to pass on costs to first homebuyers and rental tenants as well as put an unnecessary squeeze on small-medium business owners.

The Party is also concerned that National will increase GST, as they did from 12.5% to 15% in 2010, which will create less purchasing power.

“That’s obviously going to be bad for our local businesses. We will stop Labour from passing a capital gains tax onto New Zealanders and we will drop GST off food and rates to help low-income families who do not currently have any spending power,” says Ms Takoko.

“We will be the only party that can contain the belligerent tax policies of both the right and left with the goal of maximum employment, stable prices, lower interest rates and financial stability. Our bottom line is that we hit the 10% party vote threshold nationwide.

“I’m glad to see we are well above that threshold here on the East Coast at 15.6% for the electorate. We are looking forward to our best result ever,” says Ms Takoko.

New Zealand First’s East Coast electorate pole was conducted between September 8 to 10 among 732 voters from Opotiki, Whakatane, Gisborne, Tolaga Bay and Ruatoria.

732 valid votes cast: 28% Tolley, 26% Mackey, 15.56% NZ First, Greens 15%, Internet Mana 4.6%, Conservatives 2.0%, Undecided 8.8%. Margin of error +/-4% (based on 95% certainty by removing demographic bias as per standards of New Zealand Political Polling Code)

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