While New Zealand First's Winston Peters looks set to hold the balance of power after the election, Kiwis don't want him to be Deputy Prime Minister
Our latest Newshub Reid Research poll has ACT Leader David Seymour as the preferred option should the right be able to form a Government after October 14.
It's the penultimate day of campaigning and National’s bus started the day in Hawke’s Bay. Labour holds Napier and Tukituki, but they’re marginal seats.
"I think we are definitely going to turn Tukituki blue on Saturday," said Tukituki National candidate Catherine Wedd.
National Napier candidate Katie Nimon said she is working hard to win her seat.
There’s already plenty of spice in this election – and likely plenty more after it during coalition talks.
Would National's deputy leader Nicola Willis like to be deputy Prime Minister?
"I have always said I will do whatever role the Prime Minister asks of me. For me, it is about getting a change of Government," she said.
In our latest Newshub Reid-Research poll, we asked: If the right-bloc wins the election, who from the minor parties would you prefer as deputy PM?
ACT leader David Seymour’s well ahead on 45.7 percent, with Winston Peters trailing well behind on 27.3 percent. The rest said neither or didn’t know.
"It's up to voters, we will find out on the day," said Seymour.
National leader Christopher Luxon wouldn't get into it.
We also asked the same question for the other side. If the left bloc wins the election, who from the minor parties would you prefer as deputy PM?
Greens co-leader James Shaw is a clear favourite on 38.9 percent, followed by his co-leader Marama Davidson way down on 15.7 percent. Te Pāti Māori co-leaders Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer are on 5.9 percent and 5.7 percent respectively. Nearly 20 percent said none of them, the rest didn’t know.
"That's flattering. It's good to know people have got confidence in us. Ultimately, we're not here for the job titles, here to make a difference," said Shaw.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins said he wouldn't have negotiations "until the votes have all come in".
"I get on well with all of them."
Better than he gets on with Luxon perhaps. Both leaders are squaring up for their final leaders debate on Thursday night.
Christopher Luxon hasn’t been on board the campaign bus on Thursday. It arrived in Rotorua on Thursday evening.
