Prime Minister John Key has blamed a slip in his popularity on a "bruising'' election campaign with lots of attack advertisements.
A UMR Research poll released at the weekend showed the Prime Minister's favorability rating at 63 per cent between October and December - a dip of nine per cent.
Mr Key has peaked above 80 per cent twice previously, and the most recent rating is his lowest.
Speaking to Newstalk ZB this morning, Mr Key did not appear too concerned.
"That's what happens when you go through a bit of a bruising campaign and there are lots of attack ads,'' he said.
"The Government's tracking well, but three years out from an election we've got a lot to do, in that time people will make up their mind whether they want us back for a third term.''
