NZ First leader positive about chances

Winston Peters spoke to a crowd of more than 80 people at the opening of the New Zealand First office in Grey St. Photo / John Borren

Winston Peters is confident of returning to Parliament after the elections, and says the Conservative Party is no threat.

He spoke to more than 80 people at the opening of New Zealand First's new Grey St office last night.

He talked about returning to days when New Zealand was one of the world's leading exporters and the population was better off. "Some people might think it's old fashioned but I know what it's like, and many people here know what it's like to live with one of the greatest visions any western society ever had."

After the meeting Mr Peters spoke to the Bay of Plenty Times about the chances of the Conservative Party luring away traditional NZ First voters in Tauranga.

"There's no chance of a party with no record of serving the people of Tauranga, no record of serving the people of this country, luring away the voters of NZ First voters."

He also spoke about the proposal to amalgamate the Tauranga City and Western Bay District Councils.

"Amalgamation should be the decision of the ratepayers, not rammed down people's throats by local government or central government; or central government hiding behind local government. People should look at it with an open mind and hear the arguments."

Mr Peters also made jibes at Kim Dotcom's Internet Party: " ... Somebody's been here five minutes and decides with $3million he can start a political party in this country which is astonishing and astounding, amazing and arrogant in the extreme."