The UMR Research poll, the first public poll on the Christchurch mayoral contest since the region was hit by a 7.1 earthquake on September 4, shows that Mr Parker leads Mr Anderton, Progressive party MP for Wigram, by 55 percent to 41 percent among decided voters.
The last poll, in June, showed Mr Parker trailing Mr Anderton by 32 percent (Parker 28 percent, Anderton 60 percent).
Christchurch city residents also believed that the rebuilding process in the city was being handled effectively, the poll showed.
Eighty-eight percent believed that Mr Parker had handled the aftermath of the earthquake well.
Large majorities also thought that Civil Defence (94 percent), the city council (90 percent), EQC (88 percent) and insurance companies had handled the aftermath well.
Fifty-six percent of Christchurch city residents thought that people who did not have insurance should not be compensated for damage to their houses from the earthquake.
Results were based upon an online survey of a representative sample of 361 Christchurch city residents, conducted by UMR Research.
The survey team was in the field from September 21-27, and the survey was paid for by UMR Research, and was not commissioned by any of the candidates or any other third party.
