Newshub-Reid Research poll: Does Christopher Luxon or Chris Hipkins understand Kiwis' struggles best?

National's asking for help with naming the latest addition to its campaign - a big blue bus.  

But it also needs help explaining why it seemingly copied Labour's police policy.  

National leader Christopher Luxon got out of the comfort of the Crown limo on Wednesday, cavorted with his congregation and then jumped on National's new campaign coach. 

The bus headed a mere 1.2km down the road to one of Auckland's most affluent town centres, Newmarket.  

A whistlestop walkabout of coffees, kids, calls in clothing shops and just one confrontation with someone wanting to raise taxes to get more infrastructure. Luxon said they could do it without more tax. 

The bus still doesn't have a name. "Big Blue" was one of the options although that's a bit vanilla. BOTY Bus BOT was another option and Prudence, as in fiscal prudence - although the public still haven't seen National's fiscal plan.  

Prudence may need to call in at some less affluent stops after these poll results.  

In our latest Newshub-Reid Research poll, we asked: "Who do you think better understands the struggles average Kiwis are facing?" 

The results show 41.2 percent said Labour's Chris Hipkins, 29.3 percent said Luxon and 23 percent said neither. 

"I've been successful in my life but I've spent all my time out there understanding what's going on for people," Luxon told Newshub. 

"You just have to sit in some budgeting services to understand how tough it is for people." 

He said he understood what was "going on in this country" and "the pain and suffering people are experiencing, and that's why good economic management matters".

Hipkins said he does his own supermarket shopping.  

"I have seen families walk through the fruit and veges aisle and not buy anything because they can't afford it." 

National also announced on Wednesday it would fund 300 additional police over the next four years if elected.  

Sound familiar? That's because it's already been announced by Labour. 

"National has come up with no new ideas and have simply copied ours," said Labour police spokesperson Ginny Andersen.

Labour costed it $124m, so how about the Nats?  

"$124m over 4 years out of future operating allowances," Luxon said. 

Labour's police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said National has "come up with no new ideas and have simply copied us".

"They look exactly like our costings."

However, National's police spokesperson Mark Mitchell said they were the Nats' costings. 

"We've said that we will take it from the existing Budget and we will."

Labour's police policy - probably not the most appropriate one for them to steal.