Newshub-Reid Research poll: Chris Hipkins tops preferred Prime Minister rankings in first outing as leader

Election 2023 is going to be about the clash of the Chrises.

So who is dominant so far? The latest Newshub-Reid Research results show an impressive first outing for the new Labour leader.

Chris Hipkins has come out on top with 19.6 percent.

"My focus really is doing the job I now have," he told Newshub. "It is a huge responsibility. I take it very seriously and I will absolutely be knuckling down and making sure that we have got the Government focused where it needs to be focused."

Newshub-Reid Research poll: Chris Hipkins tops preferred Prime Minister rankings in first outing as leader
Photo credit: Newshub.

Hipkins is followed by National's Christopher Luxon on 18.8 percent - that's down 2.7 points.

Asked if he is relatable, Luxon said: "I think so. When people get to know me. That's the challenge".

"I appreciate I have come from outside and I have got a long way to go to make sure people get a chance to get to know me and get to meet me, but I think people are starting to understand that".

Former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is still racking up some support on 12.4 percent.

ACT leader David Seymour is wanted as Prime Minister by 8 percent.

"I always look at the numbers for the polling before the preferred Prime Minister because that decides how much power ACT will have to implement that real change agenda, better policies for the next generation of Kiwis," Seymour said.

Newshub-Reid Research poll: Chris Hipkins tops preferred Prime Minister rankings in first outing as leader
Photo credit: Newshub.

Meanwhile, 3.9 percent back former New Conservative leader Leighton Baker.

The Newshub-Reid Research poll was conducted between 22 January – 27 January 2023 with a margin of error of 3.1 percent.