Media release November 25, 2011
Labour Party Makes Late Surge in New Zealand’s Largest Pre-Election Poll

The Labour Party has managed to gain ground in the final week of Muffin Break’s Bean Poll - and its good fortune appears to be at the expense of the minor parties.

With 59,190 votes cast in the four weeks since the pre-election poll kicked off on October 29, the Labour Party has gained 2% this week and now has 30% of the total coffee beans cast.

While the National Party and Green Party remain unchanged on 43% and 14% respectively, Labour’s late surge appears to have cost the minor parties.

The ACT Party has dropped 1% to 5% and is back sitting on the threshold needed to have a place in Parliament if it doesn’t win any electorate seats. Votes for other parties have also dropped back from 9% to 8%.

If the results of tomorrow’s general election mirror the results of the Bean Poll, the minor parties could still make all the difference when it comes to forming a government. National and ACT combined still don’t have 50% of the vote, and neither do Labour and the Greens.

With the Bean Poll now over for another election, Muffin Break General Manager Garry Croft says he’s delighted so many people have once again got behind the poll and taken the time to vote.

“We’re looking forward to tomorrow night to see if once again the Bean Poll is as accurate as it has been in the past three general elections,” he says.

“And while voting in the Bean Poll has now wound up, we are encouraging all New Zealanders over the age of 18 to get out and cast their official vote tomorrow.”
The Muffin Break Bean Poll has seen people voting with a coffee bean for their preferred party at the muffin chain’s 36 stores throughout New Zealand. For the first time this year, participants have also been able to vote online.

For more information on the Muffin Break Bean Poll visit www.muffinbreak.co.nz or the Facebook page here .

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Notes to editors:
About the Muffin Break Bean Poll:
The Muffin Break Bean Poll has been held in New Zealand in 2002, 2005 and 2008 and each time has successfully predicted the winning party. Its biggest test to date was in 2005 when Labour won with a narrow victory over the National Party.

About Muffin Break:

Encompassing over 200 sweet and savoury muffin recipes, Muffin Break is renowned for their freshly baked goods prepared daily onsite, providing an irresistible range of baked products as well as Muffin Break’s distinctive blend of espresso coffee.

Muffin Break first launched in 1989 and has since grown to approximately 250 across New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom. The Foodco Group Pty Ltd owns the well-known Muffin Break, Jamaica Blue™, and Dreamy Donuts™ brands.

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