The National party remains in the driver's seat ahead of New Zealand's upcoming election, with the centre-right party trusted by voters on all major election issues.
On Wednesday night, TVNZ released its latest political poll conducted by Verian, with National on 37 per cent and Labour on just 27.
Labour's result is its lowest in six years and would see it slip into opposition at the October 14 election.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins put a brave face on the outcome, pointing to the fact National had slid two points from last week.
"What we're seeing in the latest poll numbers is the National party are coming down having previously peaked," he said.
"My job over the next three weeks is to pick up those votes."
Replicated in parliamentary seats, National could govern in a coalition with right-wing libertarians ACT, with a one-seat majority.
Should National's vote drop any further, it would need the support of Winston Peters' New Zealand First, which is steady at five per cent and on track to return to parliament after a term on the sidelines.
Both ACT and the Greens enjoyed a two-point bump to 12 per cent, with the Maori Party on 3.0 per cent.
Mr Luxon said he was unconcerned about National's two-point drop, urging supporters not to flirt with minor parties.
"MMP elections are always close," he said.
"When New Zealanders want to change the government, there's only one thing to do and it's party vote National."
The latest Ipsos Issues Monitor shows an almost complete triumph for National on issues important to New Zealanders.
The centre-right party is judged "most capable of managing" 15 of the top 20 issues, including the top five - the cost of living, crime, housing, health and the economy.
Labour is ranked best on just two - poverty (ranked eighth most important) and racism (ranked 12th).
National's domination is a huge turnaround from two years ago when Labour under Jacinda Ardern was ranked most capable on 19 of the top 20 issues.
Government performance has also dipped into negative territory for the first time in six years.
Asked to rank Mr Hipkins' Labour-led government out of 10, the average score was 4.5, down from 5.4 in his first poll in the job in February.
The latest poll results come after the first leaders' debate of the campaign on Tuesday night, pitching Mr Hipkins and Mr Luxon in a 90-minute televised showdown.
Most pundits and analysts scored the debate a draw or a win to Mr Luxon: and so did New Zealanders.
A survey by broadcasters TVNZ showed 42 per cent gave it to Mr Luxon and 26 gave it to Mr Hipkins, while a third weren't sure.
LATEST NEW ZEALAND POLL - TVNZ-VERIAN RESEARCH
National - 37 per cent (down two) - 46 seats
Labour - 27 (down one) - 34 seats
ACT - 12 (up two) - 15 seats
Greens - 12 (up two) - 15 seats
NZ First - five (steady) - six seats
Maori Party - three (steady) - four seats
PREFERRED PRIME MINISTER
Chris Hipkins, Labour - 23 per cent (steady)
Chris Luxon, National - 23 (steady)
