This is edition 2026/062 of the Ten@10 newsletter.
Hi all,
This is the Ten@10, where I collate and summarise ten news items you generally won't see in the mainstream media.
Enjoy!
1. Where is NZ First getting its support from?
David Farrar
- 📊 NZ First has reached a record 13.6% in the Taxpayers' Union–Curia poll, marking a significant surge in support
- 🗳️ A majority (52%) of current NZ First supporters previously voted National in 2023, showing strong crossover from centre-right voters
- 🔄 Only 31% of supporters voted NZ First in 2023, with smaller portions coming from ACT (9%), minor parties (4%), Labour (3%), and Greens (1%)
- ⚖️ Support is evenly split between men and women, both at 13.6%
- 👥 NZ First now attracts support across all age groups: 13% under 40, 15% aged 40–59, and 12% over 60
- 👴 The party is no longer dominated by older voters, shedding its “Grey Power” image
- 🌆 Strongest support comes from towns (20%) and rural areas (24%), but remains low in Auckland (5%)
- 🌏 By ethnicity, support is highest among Europeans (16%) and Pacific voters (17%), with lower backing from Māori (9%) and Asian communities (5%)
- ⚠️ Ethnicity figures carry a higher margin of error, so should be treated cautiously
- 🔄 Overall, modern NZ First differs significantly from its 1990s voter base and profile
