National's Watts dismissive of working with 'left wing' Opportunity

National's Simon Watts has scoffed at the idea of working with the Opportunity party, telling RNZ "don't be ridiculous."

But neither Watts nor Labour's Carmel Sepuloni would rule out working with Opportunity.

The latest RNZ Reid Research poll has the party at 4.7 percent, right on the cusp of entering Parliament.

Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong says the party could sit on Parliament's cross benches, if it can't reach a coalition agreement with National or Labour.

Speaking on Morning Report's Political Panel, Watts said "don't be ridiculous" when asked about working with the party.

"They're a left wing party.

"Their strategy to get into government is to tax people more and put everyone on welfare.

"Well, that's completely against the principles that I believe in and that our party values believe in," Watts said.

ACT leader David Seymour had a similar response on Tuesday, saying Opportunity's basic premise was to "solve the welfare problem by putting everyone on welfare, and then pay for that by taxing your property".

Meanwhile, Labour leader Chris Hipkins said it was a risk to support them, firstly, because the party might support a National government and secondly, because it would become a wasted vote.

"And that potentially helps the parties on the other side of the aisle get back into government."

Wong said the rhetoric coming from some of the leaders was "old school, playing into tribal politics."

"Trying to put us in a box rather than try and find the common ground."

Speaking on Wednesday, Watts said National was focused on its plan and on economic management.

Asked to rule out working with Opportunity, Watts declined.

"No, I'm not. I don't get into in and out."

Sepuloni also said Labour wasn't at the point of ruling potential coalition partners in or out.