Chris Hipkins has surged ahead as preferred choice for Prime Minister in the latest Kantar poll.

Hipkins has risen by four points to 27 percent while National's Chris Luxon has dropped by five to 17 percent.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson says these results show people are confident in Chris Hipkins, but he's not counting his chickens right away.

Grant Robertson says Labour's recent popularity has been helped by their response to Cyclone Gabrielle, as voters trust Labour in times of crisis.

LISTEN ABOVE