Andrew Little holds a commanding lead in the Wellington mayoral race, a new Q+A Verian poll suggests.
The Labour candidate holds 58% of first preference votes among those surveyed who expressed a preference, according to the poll carried out between September 4-6.
Councillor Ray Chung trailed behind at 16%, businessman Karl Tiefenbacher was on 10% and councillor Diane Calvert was on 6% with five others also making an appearance.
Watch Q+A’s Wellington mayoral candidates debate at 9am on TVNZ+ or TVNZ1
Of those polled, 58% expressed a preference for a mayoral candidate. Meanwhile, 22% said they hadn’t decided, and 20% were unlikely to vote or refused to say.
Little’s emergence as the frontrunner in the election comes after incumbent mayor Tory Whanau pulled out in April. But the former MP and Cabinet minister has previously said he took “absolutely nothing for granted” in response to his perceived race advantage.
The poll also asked voters who they blame for Wellington’s economic struggles, with 54% pointing to the Government compared to 32% who blamed local government for declines in the city’s GDP, consumer spending and employment.
Voters were also asked whether they believed the Government’s appointment of a Crown Observer had helped improve the Wellington City Council’s performance.
Forty-seven per cent believed it made no difference, 23% believed it improved the council’s performance, 8% thought it worsened it, while 21% said they didn’t know.
Others in the 12-candidate field for Wellington’s mayor also appeared in the Q+A poll.
Candidates to have polled above 1% in first preference votes include Rob Goulden 4%, Alex Baker 3%, Josh Harford 3%, Scott Caldwell 1%, and William Pennywize 1%.
Watch Q+A’s Wellington mayoral candidates debate at 9am on TVNZ+ or TVNZ1
Q+A with Jack Tame is made with the support of New Zealand On Air
