Jacinda Ardern became New Zealand's most popular prime minister in a century, a Newshub-Reid Research poll showed yesterday, thanks to her COVID-19 response that made the country among the most successful in curbing the spread of the disease.

The first public poll since the coronavirus crisis took hold showed popularity for Ardern's Labour jumped 14 points to 56.5% - the highest for any party ever. As preferred PM, Ardern was at 59.5%, up 20.8 points on the last poll and the highest score for any leader in the Reid Research poll's history.