"So what I am talking about is in the past two decades, very few policies supporting those kinds of initiatives have come out of New Zealand First."
The party's Super Gold Card scheme introduced in 2007 did not rate at the same level.
"The ability to have a free bus ride from 9am to 3pm is not an earth-shattering achievement."
Mr Kirton's policy providing free GP visits and prescriptions for children aged 6 and under passed in the late 1990s and was mentioned as a major achievement.
"There was a suggestion [on The Nation] I claim that. I was its architect but in reality the initiative was not as robust as intended and hasn't had the desired output."
New Zealand First's longevity came down to Mr Peters' ability to "perform a love dance" with the media to keep his profile in the spotlight.
"He has about five or six approaches and he successfully courts the media, I've seen it in the [press] gallery and at late night drinking sessions where journalists drinking with him are considered in the inner circle.
"He uses that relationship and it is a mutual benefit to him and to the media."
Minor parties still had the ability to make a difference, he said, again referring to Mr Anderton. Mr Kirton believed independent MP Peter Dunne had "made a significant contribution" in government stability over 20 years. The Maori Party was another example.
"I think New Zealand First needs to stop thinking about succession plans and just get on with the goals of implementing policies and initiatives which aim to make a difference in people's lives, the rest [succession] will follow.
"If that's not the case, New Zealand First is finished, when Winston goes, it's all over."
Mr Kirton was an MP until 1999 and was elected on to the regional council in 2001. He was recently appointed chief executive of the NZ Cancer Society's Central Division.