Former Tauranga MP Winston Peters says hard work across New Zealand has led to his party's strong performance in the latest poll by online surveyor Horizon Poll.

The results of the 2000 person survey published to www.horizonpoll.co.nz show New Zealand First with six per cent of the vote – putting it above the five per cent threshold necessary to enter parliament.

If the 2011 election result matched that of the poll, then Winston would once again be Kingmaker as he would hold the balance of power.

'The party organisation and supporters around the country have worked really hard over the last two years, and this year in particular, and so we will all be confident that our work will be worthwhile and we have a good platform for 2011,” Winston told SunLive on Monday morning.

Winston would not say which party he would support, but described the current government as a 'rickety business with a hyperactive, overactive PR team”.

'You can't have the imploding, backstabbing operation that you're seeing now, with parties that are in government fighting each other, backing down on commitments, doing the kind of things that disturb New Zealanders, who are flat out trying to make a living and get by.”

Winston says New Zealand First may not support any future government and could sit on the cross benches, 'keeping the system honest”.

'That's the most difficult option, but we would rule out no option and we just look forward to ensuring the government becomes a far sounder entity that it currently is.”

He also commented on recent speculation that he may contest Rodney Hide's Epsom electorate, but refused to confirm his intentions.

'Let's be honest, what we have seen is as an absolute farce from Mr Hide but I don't want to waste important issues for this country's future on dealing with Mr Hide, I think the public will deal to him themselves.”

Winston still takes an active interest in Tauranga, visiting the city regularly.

'When the people of Tauranga didn't vote for me, I still delivered the bridge free, no tolls, and unparalleled with any other roading programme or construction programme in this country, so that represents my commitment to the people of Tauranga.”

'I did not resent the fact that they did not deliver me their vote but thousands and thousands did and at least they can say the person they voted for kept his promise.”

Brendan Horan is vying to become New Zealand First's Tauranga candidate.

'He is a talented fellow with a pretty impressive record.

'He will be a good fit for Tauranga. He is a balanced guy with a background that many people in Tauranga would share.”

The party vote breakdown from the Horizon Poll:
National 34.7%
Labour 28.3%
Green 7.9%
New Zealand First 6%
ACT 2.6%
Maori Party 1.2%
Jim Anderton's Progressives 1.2%
United Future 0.2%
Other parties 1.6%

See the full Horizon Poll results here.