National leader and New Zealand's likely next prime minister Chris Luxon is inching closer to transparency on his governing plans with electoral curveball New Zealand First.
However, the poll leader still can't say outright if and how he will work with Winston Peters' populist party should they return to parliament.
National looks set to govern following the October 14 election, with the latest TVNZ poll confirming the right bloc in the box seat.
The poll shows National with 37 per cent, ahead of incumbents Labour on 27, which is polling at its lowest level in six years.
On the TVNZ numbers, centre-right National would have just a one-seat majority with right-wingers ACT, which polled at 12 per cent.
Should their support slip any further, National and ACT would need Mr Peters' party for a majority.
That could change the policy and character of the next government dramatically.
While National and ACT are aligned on key issues such as tax cuts, a law and order crackdown, and a smaller government, Mr Peters is openly campaigning against National's tax cuts.
NZ First is also campaigning for a fresh COVID-19 inquiry, appeasing a fringe anti-vax crowd put offside during pandemic lockdowns.
Kiwis want to know Mr Luxon's position.
The TVNZ poll, conducted by Verian, also asked New Zealanders whether political parties should be up front with who they might partner with in government, with 82 per cent agreeing.
For months, Mr Luxon has prevaricated on the matter, saying instead he is "wholly focused on growing the National vote".
He is asked daily on the campaign trail whether he would offer NZ First a place in cabinet, restrict them to outer ministries, or not entertain them in government at all.
Top-rating radio host Mike Hosking was the latest to interrogate the 53-year-old on the issue on Thursday.
"My preference is to work in a National-ACT coalition. We've worked well in the past. (Leader David) Seymour and I have a good relationship," Mr Luxon said.
Deflecting several questions on Mr Peters, an exasperated Mr Hosking told Mr Luxon to "stop treating us like idiots".
"If it turns out you will need Peters to govern, you will work with Peters?" Mr Hosking asked repeatedly.
"I am going to change the government. That's what I'm here to do. I will work to who I have to work with, with what the New Zealand people give us," Mr Luxon eventually said.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins, who on Thursday campaigned in Napier where he promised to build a new hospital, says Mr Seymour and Mr Peters would "run rings around" Mr Luxon in government.
It would be the fourth time the 78-year-old has entered a coalition governing since forming the minor party in 1993.
Labour has recent experience with Mr Peters, who used his kingmaker position in 2017 to put the centre-left party into government.
Both Labour and NZ First have pledged not to govern with each other again.
Veteran journalist Barry Soper, who has covered prime ministers since Robert Muldoon in the 1980s, said on the TVNZ numbers, National was likely to need NZ First anyway.
"New Zealand First will have to be part of this coalition now ... it is a very narrow majority indeed," he said.
"He will extend the olive branch to New Zealand First and Winston Peters which will be able to bolster them ... certainly New Zealand First will have a role to play."
