1For two Parliamentary sessions running, the party that used to consider itself the natural Government of New Zealand has been sitting on the Opposition benches. Now, with opinion polls putting them up to 20% ahead of the Labour Party, National might be forgiven for thinking the electorate is saying "come back, all is forgiven". A Frontline Heylen Poll indicates there is a credibility gap in National's policies and performance, and that it still has its work cut out in restoring public faith. How does the party see itself? What is its current state of morale, and how do the people whose task it is to steer the party back to power view their job?

2Heylen/Frontline Poll Frontline commissioned a Heylen poll to test attitudes toward the National Party. National: 45%; Labour: 35%. The majority of those voting National did so simply because they disagreed with Labour's policies, not because they approved of National's. Analysis of the poll, including further results on social policy, economic policy, name recognition of National Party MPs, and party performance.

3An interview with the Leader of the National Party, Jim Bolger about National's prospects of winning the 1990 general election.