The double downgrade is exactly what the government didn't want eight weeks out from an election. But is it really so bad? Or does it speak to a larger narrative?
Read MoreElection 2011
Latest polls - conservatism triumphant & the accidental leader?
For all the volatility in the latest round of polls, not much has changed. Indeed, change seems to be the last thing voters want right now
Read MoreOr are we heading for another 1963?
Looking back over New Zealand elections past, 1963 is another with a familiar look about it
Read More2002 repeat? Nah, it's 1951 all over again
If we want to gain insight into this election by looking at elections past, we have to look way back – to the last time National was as dominant in the polls, to a time with some uncanny similarities
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