KEY POINTS:
An election debate with the six leaders of the minor political parties was a worthwhile discussion of issues but was just too tame, a relaxed Winston Peters told media last night.
The NZ First leader was one of six minor party leaders who debated issues ranging from the economy to who they would work with in a coalition government, at the TVNZ debate in Auckland last night.
The 90 minute debate saw Mr Peters joined by Act leader Rodney Hide, United Future Peter Dunne, Progressive Party leader Jim Anderton, Maori Party co-leader Turiana Turia and Greens co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons.
No one dropped the ball and all were on their best behaviour, a mood which extended after the debate finished.
Mr Peters told media while he thought the debate was worthwhile, it was "just a bit tame for a while there".
"Politics should be fun and interesting."
However the debate got a bit of life as it went by, he said.
The NZ First leader, who needs to either make the five per cent threshold or win an electorate seat to return to Parliament, said he was glad he had been able to talk about the substantial financial crisis facing New Zealand.
" It's so serious now. I don't think New Zealanders are being shared the news in respect to where we might go if we make mistakes in the future."
Many New Zealanders had lost the value of their homes and their businesses were struggling," he said.
"It's something we should react to so I'm not going to waste my time about who I will or won't deal with [in a coalition]."
Mr Peters brushed aside suggestions he was friendless on the stage last night, after Mr Hide ruled out being in a coalition with him and Ms Fitzsimons said she would have difficulty doing so.
"My feeling out on the streets is that NZ First is going to do very, very well it behoves us to bear those responsibilities in mind.
"We're an experienced party.
"We've had a lot of time and preparation of our reaction to the financial crisis, that's why it appears uniquely in our manifesto and no-one elses."
Ms Turia said the Maori Party would take the advice in a series of hui after the election, as to what they should do, in a process she expected to take about a week.
When asked if New Zealanders not on the Maori roll would find the delay acceptable Ms Turia said she did not see why not.
"It takes almost a whole week anyway to do the negotiations
"Winston took six weeks, why wouldn't they accept seven days from us?"
Ms Turia said she could never tell how well she went in the debates but expected a group of family and friends who were watching at home would be quick to call her and let her know.
She said she was not ruling out working with any other party.
"We'd work with whoever it is because MMP requires you to be constructive and work constructively and we've tried to do that in the parliament."
Mr Anderton said he thought everyone had a fair chance.
"You never get everything you want to say or all the issues covered but it's a good hour or more of commercial TV time so you can't complain."
- NZPA
