From RNZ · RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa · · 1m 10s
National targets coalition partners for soft centre voters
National pivots to win back fractured base amid coalition scramble.
In brief
National pivots to win back fractured base amid coalition scramble. National seeks to steal 'soft centre' voters from coalition partners by shifting focus to domestic issues and cutting foreign aid to fund medicines. Originally reported by RNZ.
National's strategic dilemma
National faces pressure to win 'soft centre' voters after polling near 25.9 percent, close to its 2020 result of 25.6 percent.
Coalition partners' polling strength
ACT polls at 9 percent, up from 0.5 percent in 2017, while New Zealand First and ACT both show strong results in their own polls.
National's medicines policy shift
National tied increased medicines funding to foreign aid cuts, claiming it brings money back to fund domestic health services.
ACT leader's role in coalition
ACT leader David Seymour owns coalition's medicines funding increases, but National seeks to claim greater credit for the policy.
National's strategic pivot
National stopped discussing Labour's 'nine new taxes' in recent debates, shifting focus to domestic issues and claiming leadership.
Upcoming polls test strategy
Next week's polls will determine if National's pivot to win back traditional voters works amid coalition partner competition.
What to remember
National seeks to steal 'soft centre' voters from coalition partners by shifting focus to domestic issues and cutting foreign aid to fund medicines.
