National's problems and some helpful suggestions for the way forward by Andrea Vance (pn703)

Andrea Vance is a senior journalist at Stuff, with more than 20 years’ experience in reporting, ten of them in New Zealand.

Born in Northern Ireland, she was an investigative reporter for the News of the World, was night news editor for The Scotsman, and worked in New Zealand’s parliamentary Press Gallery for nearly a decade. She was a Jefferson Fellow at the East West Center in Hawaii, and has been recognised with major accolades at the annual media awards.

The  National Party. "The foundation of our Party is built on the values of ambition and success; with lower taxes, reward for hard work, and equal opportunity for all at its core." Click here. 

This is the most objective and helpful article I've read on the plight and prospects of the National Party, with some helpful suggestions on how it could appeal to more New Zealanders.  If only more of our journalists were as objective as Andrea.  Click here for her report. -- ACW

POSTSCRIPT.  The first Colmar Brunton poll of the year

Labour is on 49% support in today's poll, with National lagging at 27%.

National leader Collins and Labour Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern have both taken a dive in the preferred PM stakes.

Despite a significant 15% drop in support, Ardern remains miles ahead at 43%. Collins is languishing on 8%, down 4% on the previous poll in December.

Party support:
Labour Party: 49% (down 4%)
National Party: 27% (up 2%)
Green Party: 9% (up 1%)
ACT: 8%
New Zealand First: 2%
Māori Party: 2%
New Conservative: 1%
TOP - 1% (up 0.7%)
Don’t know: 5%
Refused: 4%
*Percentages do not add to 100 due to rounding.