The new National government's dream run in the polls continues.
Tonight's 3 News Reid Research poll shows that while National has slipped off February's historical high of 60 percent, it's still very much in charge.
Prime Minister John Key has faced few bumps in his first six months in office. There has been the stupid decisions and poor judgement from junior Minister Richard Worth and also the economic recession.
But despite this, National remains overwhelmingly popular at 56 percent.
Labour's Phil Goff was out today getting his party ready for the June by-election in Mt Albert. But his party is still miles behind National with a 26 point gap.
"The trend's in the right direction, but we have a got a long way to go," Mr Goff says.
But Mr Goff has pulled himself off the canvas in the preferred Prime Minister stakes up to 9 percent. Although he's still a whopping 42 points behind Mr Key and still behind Helen Clark, whose legacy is proving hard to shake.
The poll asked 1000 voters about Mr Goff and Mr Key's performances.
Voters appeared to overwhelmingly approve Mr Key. He's up to 80 percent with just 6.3 percent thinking that he's doing a poor job.
Mr Goff has fewer admirers and more people think he is doing a poor job.
The country really has warmed to Mr Key. He's leapt up amongst those who consider him more honest than most politicians and is doing better than Mr Goff.
Mr Key is considered more down-to-earth than Mr Goff.
Voters believe Mr Key has a personality and is considered to have a good grasp of economic matters.
But while Mr Key has a strong grip on power, with the crucial budget due in a month, the Government's first big test is just around the corner.
3 News