Chris Hipkins’ falling popularity could spell trouble for his party. 

The Labour leader's slumped more than six points to 12.6% in the preferred prime minister stakes of the latest Taxpayers' Union-Curia poll.  

National leader and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has taken a hit of 1.8 points - but is still leaps and bounds ahead on 32.7%.  

All up, the coalition parties have tightened their grip on power by gaining a seat, while the Opposition has lost two.  

Newstalk ZB Political Editor Jason Walls told Kerre Woodham that while we aren’t a presidential system, much of a political party’s popularity is based on the leader. 

He said that if you have a leader doing this badly in terms of net favourability, it doesn't bode well for the rest of the party.  

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