Key Takeaways:
- New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is pleased to see the end of a "gruelling year" and believes his party has done well despite the challenges of being in government.
- Peters has ruled out working with Labour under its current leader, Chris Hipkins, but has left the door open for other possibilities.
- He believes his party’s focus on ordinary working-class New Zealanders has resonated with voters and is the key to their success.
- Peters has been critical of his coalition partners, including National’s ability to turn the economy around and ACT’s Regulatory Standards Bill.
- As Foreign Affairs Minister, Peters has made it his mission to "fill the void" of "utter neglect" by his predecessor in the space of international engagement.
Introduction to Winston Peters’ Reflections
Winston Peters, the leader of New Zealand First, has reflected on the past year and looked ahead to the 2026 election campaign in a sit-down interview with RNZ. Peters expressed his pleasure at the end of what he called a "gruelling year", with his only regret being that the economy couldn’t have been turned around sooner. He suggested that it would be "unwise" to stage a leadership spill before speaking to others about the "continuance of the government." Peters made these comments as his party is polling near 10 percent across a range of polls, defying historical trends that suggest New Zealand First is punished for being in government.
New Zealand First’s Appeal
Peters attributed his party’s success to their focus on ordinary working-class New Zealanders. He stated that New Zealand First is the only party that truly relates to these individuals and understands their importance in the economy. This "workers’ party" rhetoric is a deliberate attempt to muscle in on Labour Party territory, and it appears to be working. Peters has consistently polled well, and his party is currently riding high in the polls. He has also been critical of his coalition partners, including National’s ability to turn the economy around and ACT’s Regulatory Standards Bill. Peters’ key issue with the legislation is that it gives too much authority to an unelected group, which he believes is unprecedented in a democracy.
Relationships with Other Parties
Peters has ruled out working with Labour under its current leader, Chris Hipkins, but has been more coy about other possibilities. He has encouraged media to turn the question around and ask other parties whether they would work with New Zealand First. Peters’ approach to his relationship with ACT leader David Seymour is to "put the past aside and try and make things work". He confirmed that this approach would continue until the votes are counted at the next election. Peters also wouldn’t comment on the Prime Minister’s performance, but when asked about speculation surrounding the prospect of a coup against Luxon, Peters said one reason he didn’t think there was a "spill on" was because no one had talked to him.
Foreign Affairs
As the Foreign Affairs Minister, Peters has made it his mission to "fill the void" of "utter neglect" by his predecessor in the space of international engagement. He has undertaken "enormously extensive travel", visiting 51 countries and spending 201 days offshore during the current parliamentary term. Peters believes that this approach has allowed New Zealand to navigate the "most unstable environment since the Second World War" with caution and diplomacy. He has also been critical of his predecessors’ approach to international engagement, stating that they had neglected the region and left vacuums that could be filled by other countries. Peters’ approach is to engage with major countries with caution and respect, and to prioritize the interests of New Zealand and the Pacific region.
Pacific Relations
Peters has long held a belief that "if vacuums are left, they will be filled". He believes that the challenge for New Zealand is to reiterate in conversations with Australia, the United States, and others, that "we play our role in not allowing vacuums to develop." Peters pointed out that these vacuums may not be "to our advantage" in the end. He emphasized the importance of bearing in mind the commonalities that New Zealand shares with Pacific people, including DNA, regional association, and matters of freedom and democracy. Peters also discussed the disagreement between New Zealand and the Cook Islands that played out this year, which was caused by the Cook Islands Prime Minister signing four partnership agreements with China. This led to a relationship breakdown between the two countries and a funding pause from New Zealand. Peters stated that officials had had "extensive engagement" on the matter, but it was still a "work in progress".
Conclusion
In conclusion, Winston Peters’ reflections on the past year and his look ahead to the 2026 election campaign provide valuable insights into his party’s success and his approach to governance. Peters’ focus on ordinary working-class New Zealanders and his criticism of his coalition partners have resonated with voters. His approach to foreign affairs has been cautious and diplomatic, and he has prioritized the interests of New Zealand and the Pacific region. As the election campaign heats up, it will be interesting to see how Peters’ party performs and whether they can defy historical trends and remain a significant force in New Zealand politics. With their current polling and Peters’ confidence in their ability to do "extraordinary well" next year, it is clear that New Zealand First will be a party to watch in the lead-up to the 2026 election.