There's more heartbreak for Labour leader Chris Hipkins.
Not only has Labour's support tanked in the latest Newshub-Reid Research poll, but people are beginning to like National leader Christopher Luxon.
The Chrises are even-stevens in the preferred-Prime Minister rankings. They are both at 22.5 percent, with Luxon climbing a mighty 6.6 points and Hipkins slumping 1.5 points.
ACT's David Seymour's losing his shine too. He's at 7 percent, down 3.9 points. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters (4.6 percent) and Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick (3.2 percent) are the only others really registering.
This poll shows the gulf is widening between the major parties.
Labour's fall of 5.5 points to 26.8 percent shows Labour is in a death spiral. National is streaking ahead, up 4.3 points to 40.9 percent.
If ever there was a day Hipkins needed the sun to shine, it was Monday. But alas, even in sunny Nelson, the gloom rolled in and it was contagious.
Half-heartedly waving a banner about, Hipkins was down but trying so hard not to be out.
He was projecting optimism but rolling out the line poll losers use.
"A poll is a poll. There is only one poll that matters and that is the poll that everyone takes part in on election day," Hipkins told Newshub.
He's cherishing the little things, like a friendship bracelet saying 'Chippy' given to him by a child.
But the big cold reality is bedding in - he could lose.
"I'm not really thinking at all about a plan B. I think we've still got five weeks of campaigning to go and I'm going to get out there and give it my all."
Losing the popularity lead over Luxon could mean Hipkins is cruising for a bruising.
He wouldn't say on Monday whether he has an ace up his sleeve.
Meanwhile, Luxon is not quite doing victory laps yet, but he is definitely Live, Laugh, Luxoning.
"I love it. I am bouncing out of bed at 4:30am each morning, ready to go and excited about what is going on on any given day," the National leader said.
He's still chowing down on humble pie, attempting to keep himself grounded.
"I don't take anything for granted. We are constructively dissatisfied. There is no complacency in the National Party team... I am going to continue to work hard right up to election night to make New Zealanders understand what is at stake."
It's easy to drop your guard and get ahead of yourself when poll results are like this.
"We want to solve our challenges and we've gotta get things done for the New Zealand people now... That's the job of a new National-led Government."
Talk like that makes it seem like he's already planning the furniture layout of the Beehive.
But Hipkins won't let it go that easy.
He said he's not resigned to defeat.
"We're in this to win it."
He's opening up on his future plans, win or lose.
Asked if he was committed to serving out the full term through to the next election, Hipkins said he won the election then "absolutely".
What about if he loses?
"That's a question you can ask me the day after the election," he replied.
The Newshub-Reid Research poll was conducted between 3 September and 9 September 2023 with a margin of error of 3.1 percent.
