# National targets coalition partners for soft centre voters

> National pivots to win back fractured base amid coalition scramble.
- Title: National targets coalition partners for soft centre voters
- Summary: National pivots to win back fractured base amid coalition scramble. National seeks to steal 'soft centre' voters from coalition partners by shifting focus to…
- Keywords: national, act, new zealand first, opportunity, soft centre voters, medicines policy, fiscal policy, coalition, politics, news, targets, partners
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/political/1795692/caucus-national-takes-aim-at-coalition-partners-in-scramble-for-soft-centre-voters
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-08T07:04:59+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: national, act, new zealand first, opportunity, soft centre voters, medicines policy, fiscal policy, coalition, politics, news
## 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.
## Key takeaway

National seeks to steal 'soft centre' voters from coalition partners by shifting focus to domestic issues and cutting foreign aid to fund medicines.