National is polling strongly in the 'battleground' of the election.

A Herald-ZB-Kantar TNS survey of a thousand voters shows many think the country is heading in the right direction.

The poll indicates an overwhelming majority of voters believe Prime Minister Bill English is the leader most capable of running the government. According to the poll, English has four times the support of Labour leader Andrew Little.

Newstalk ZB Chief Political Reporter Felix Marwick said the government is also strong in Auckland.

"When the election comes down to the party vote, you've got to look at those metro areas as to how the election may play out. So if the government's numbers are good in Auckland, it's looking good down the track."

Marwick said National is polling a little more weakly in the capital.

LISTEN ABOVE TO FELIX MARWICK SPEAK WITH LARRY WILLIAMS.