What I don't understand is how all the anti-National supporters can continue to slam JK and his govt. What has anyone actually lost from Labour being voted out and National getting voted in? Absolutely nothing. People go on about how National have cut entitlements and how they are not increasing spending in certain areas. The only reason they are doing that, is because if they continue spending as Labour did during the best years NZ has seen recently in its tax take, national debt will sky rocket and then people will complain even more. What I don't understand is when JK and his Govt have found a balance between increasing spending whilst maintaining debt levels at repayable amounts, is how can anyone actually complain. You have two options: 1) Continue spending as was under the Labour govt and NZ get in to mass amounts of debt which will affect everyone OR 2) Cut come entitlements of which the majority don't actually use, until it can actually be afforded. How is this such a hard concept for people to understand? Point: Stop complaining and start realising that whats happening is improving things. Good things take time.

Cannot see too much changeing next year with regards to the polls ; good to see the Greens polling well above 5%, they provide parliament with a different perspective - variety of opinions is helpful in a democracy. Yes some of Nations big policies (Felicia #14) may have an affect on the polls, but I have a feeling the electorate have moved somewhat to the right of centre (note the agreeing comments to Paula Bennetts proposed benefit reforms)

It looks like things are relatively unchanged, which is probably a balancing of faux pas on the part of the major parties... for every unpopular move by National, Labour managed to get in trouble and vice versa.

I'm a bit surprised by NZ First still being around, it indicates that there is a reasonable chance that they might be back at the next election. I don't like Winston, but he got more votes than Rodney, and Democracy isn't about getting the people I want into power, it's about getting the people that everyone wants into power.

I think National has done pretty well this year. The first few months were a bit of a mess, but that was probably changing from the opposition mindset into the governing mindset (Minister Bennett and a few others still need to make some adjustments). By and large NZ's government has and will do pretty well... they are all smart people with good advisers. In fact I imagine that Labour would probably have done pretty much the same had they returned to power in '08.

Overall no major stumbles by anyone, with the possible exception of Mr Hariwera, notable not of itself, but because it points to a possible division in the Maori Party. Dr Sharples and Mrs Turia will be working behind the scenes to promote party unity I'd say.

RA

NZ First is on the comeback trail and it will be interesting to see how they influence things at the next election.

Let's see how popular the Nats stay after they implement their major policies next year.

what a pity they don't measure the effect of shill journalism by stuff.co.nz on these polls.

Labor is actually up quite a lot in this poll. Would some of the doubters like to admit that Goff's gamble with the his Foreshore position and the reserve bank have begun to pay off.

national didnt win the last election labour lost it. so suggest john key (who i voted for) better start listening and say no to the whol kyoto/copenahegen bs and get the country on track

Nats, Labour, Greens, etc. they're all politicians- start a referendum to get politicians paid what nurses, fire fighters, teachers, and ambulance oficers are paid- because these people actually do something in the community, the politicians I can't say what they do besides lie, cheat and steal.

What was accomplished- a huge push for the super city (to sell our assets off) and a bike track.

WHAT ELSE- 2 Million taken from special needs children, education skimmed back, teachers asked to take a pay cut for other school staff, yet politicians wages are inflation adjusted, and they get housing and travel allowances. Crims were not given harder sentences (man given three years for beating an old man to death in front of children), go to the sensible sentencing page for all the other cases. Voted against anti-smacking but no our vote only counts when you vote for National.

Key said nothing was wrong with Bill English taking money for his housing allowance even though he lied, said nothing on Rodney's romp around the world with his girlfriend, and had no stones on Hone's statements and his trip to France. And don't forget Chris Carter.

And with 55 Million and Key didn't give one dollar to his old school- Flight of the Concords flew in from the States and raised money for their school.

Good year wouldn't you say- John Key is right Kiwis do need to learn to read.