Greens eye key portfolios following surge in latest poll

The Green Party has achieved its highest result in the 26-year history of the 1News Verian poll, rising three points to 16 percent. This result would grant the party 19 MPs if repeated at the November election.

Both major parties, National and Labour, have fallen to 28 percent each. The current political landscape shows a potential Labour, Green, Te Pāti Māori, and Opportunity bloc holding 65 seats, while the National, NZ First, and ACT bloc holds 59 seats.

Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick stated the party is "not here to play silly buggers" and intends to negotiate for portfolios that deliver on priorities such as affordable lives and healthy nature. Swarbrick has specifically expressed interest in the finance, energy, state-owned enterprises, and climate change portfolios.

Labour leader Chris Hipkins said the poll results show the challenge facing his party over the next six weeks. Regarding Swarbrick's interest in the finance portfolio, Hipkins stated that Barbara Edmonds would be Finance Minister under his leadership.

How it developed

• Tue 29 Sep, 8:09amChlöe Swarbrick specifically named the finance portfolio as a job she wants to deliver economic transformation.

Where reports differ

• Report 1 lists Swarbrick's interests as finance, energy, and state-owned enterprises, while report 2 adds climate change to that list.

Compiled from reports by Newsroom and 1News.