Greens' confidence of Coromandel success buoyed by poll

The Green Party was buoyed by a poll today showing that in a neck-and-neck race for the Coromandel seat with National, the Greens had the potential for a significant increase in votes.

The poll shows that even with ACT's support the National candidate can't muster a statistically significant lead over Green Party MP and Co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons.

A Sunday Star Times/UMR Insight poll published today shows Ms Fitzsimons on 34 per cent, second behind National on 37 per cent. Labour polled 15 per cent.

"This poll, and a poll by Reid Research Services Ltd in August, are consistent in showing the gap between National's McLean and me is less than the margin of error but we are the only party with the opportunity for picking up a significant amount of extra votes between now and November 27," Ms Fitzsimons said.

Ms Fitzsimons said the poll "confirmed what we have always said, that it is a very close two-way race - but National has nowhere else to gain support from and we have a lot of room to grow, particularly in support from Labour voters".

Two-thirds of Labour supporters polled said they were very willing or fairly willing to switch their vote to support Ms Fitzsimons.

"The fact that two-thirds are prepared to change their vote in order to avoid another National Government makes me confident we will pick up more support yet and with ACT not standing in Coromandel it is hard to see where National can pick up any more votes from.

"The poll indicates, and we are confident, that we can win the seat on our own merits. With the campaign team we have, we will continue to build our support from across the spectrum of Coromandel voters."

According to the most recent national poll - NBR/UMR Insight - the Green Party was at 3.6 per cent support, giving the Greens five MPs in Parliament when Ms Fitzsimons wins Coromandel.

"We are also within striking distance of crossing the five per cent threshold," Ms Fitzsimons said.

Jeanette Fitzsimons: 025 586 068

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