Winston Peters stand-up after their board meeting concluded in Wellington. Credit: Mark Mitchell
NZ First leader Winston Peters is holding secret one on one meetings with National leader Bill English and Labour leader Jacinda Ardern tonight, straight after the NZ First board meeting packed up with no decision made.
The Herald saw Peters meet with English almost immediately after the NZ First boardleft.
English was on his own without staff or any of his negotiating team. Peters was also believed to be alone - his chief of staff was not in the room.
Labour leader Jacinda Ardern and Winston Peters emerging from a secret one on one meeting tonight. Bill English (right) exiting from the same spot in meeting a few days prior. Photos / Mark Mitchell
They met in the same room NZ First and Labour and National had held their talks in last week.
The Herald saw English leave soon after 6pm, after about half an hour in the room.
English confirmed the talks with Peters were one-on-one - just him talking to the NZ First leader.
Asked what the next steps would be taken to form a Government, English said, "we'll let you know".
"I can confirm I met with Mr Peters, but I won't be commenting on the contents of that meeting," English told waiting media. "I hope there's more to say in the next few days."
"We can't make a decision as a party until we've had those discussions."
NZ First leader Winston Peters was seen holding secret one-on-one meetings with National leader Bill English and Labour leader Jacinda Ardern tonight. Photo / Mark Mitchell
He did not specify what those issues were but they are expected to include the shape a government might take, any ministerial portfolios and any concerns Peters might have about working with English and Ardern as Prime Minister.
Peters said all the various shapes a governing arrangement could take were still on the table.
Peters said he would try and resolve it as fast as possible. It was still his goal to reach a decision by the end of the week, but that would partly depend on other parties as well.
"We've got things to finish off as urgently as we can, sorting out differences of calculations and opinions and trying to make sure we've got with both sides a clear understanding so that if we do finalise it we'll know where we've got the agreement rather than having to go away and write it again."
Peters said there was "serious consensus" over the policies put to both sides. "This is a case of policies that survived and those are the ones that will be going into an agreement."
