Asset sales, Christchurch rebuild on voters' minds

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Voters are hardening their views on the rebuild of Christchurch and the partial sell-off of state-owned power companies as the election grows closer.

Fairfax Media-Research International poll results, out this morning, show the overriding concern is for the state of hospitals and education, followed by the economy.

But National's part-privatisation policy and progress on getting Canterbury back to its feet are increasingly capturing the attention of voters.

The poll shows Labour has clawed back some support after a series of grim results, but is still stuck below 30 per cent.

National has slipped slightly to 54 per cent, but the yawning gap between the two parties - 26.2 percentage points - is almost insurmountable for Labour.

John Key is out in front in the preferred prime minister stakes, with Phil Goff in second place, still in single figures.

Reports the earthquake rebuild has stalled appears to have stimulated concern for the city. More than three-quarters of respondents rated it "very important or important in driving their vote", slightly up on last month. Labour announced its proposals to help Christchurch recover just before the poll was taken.

Interest is also growing in National's plans to partially sell off state-owned assets, with almost 4 per cent more than last month ranking it as a vote driver.

Among both National and Labour voters - and the undecided - almost 60 per cent rated it as important. Close to 80 per cent of Green party voters are concerned.

Despite Key's party's promise to halt the brain-drain, immigration and emigration are worrying voters.

National has repeatedly campaigned on keeping Kiwis from leaving for higher-paid jobs overseas, and in 2009 claimed success. Just over 47 per cent rated it as a key issue.

Voters are also thinking about their retirement, with superannuation and KiwiSaver growing in importance in influencing decision.

And as the world hovers on the brink of recession, almost 84 per cent of those surveyed ranked the state of the economy "very important or important as driving their vote."

Law and order is the third crucial issue on voters minds (81.3 per cent), slightly ahead of cost of living (81 per cent).

Key yesterday trumpeted the Government's record.

"We have grown for eight of the last nine quarters, we will be back in surplus by 2014-15, our debt is one quarter of the OECD average, we have interest rates at a 45-year low, unemployment is starting to fall, we have created 45,000 jobs, and I think in the context of that environment, it is not too bad."

But Labour's finance spokesman David Cunliffe said National's plan was just to "muddle through".

"National has no plan to tackle the tough economic issues, including the need to address high private and public debt, a lack of savings for investment, inadequate policies to promote exports and innovation, and a stubborn refusal to modernise monetary policy," he said.

The campaign trail and televised leaders' debates will be Mr Goff's chance to front foot Labour's economic plan, most of which has been released, including a proposal to cut taxes by exempting the first $5000 worth of income.

National will also release its economic plan on the campaign trail but Mr Key confirmed tax cuts were not on the agenda.

The Greens party scored double figures, for the second successive poll, this time at 10.1 per cent.