Winston: Saving our Heartland

NZ First leader Winston Peters addresses Palmerston North audience at the Globe Theatre on May 1.

The Globe Theatre was packed last week to hear Winston Peters' message there's work to do to save the Heartland.

"If you don't like what the Government's doing, what are you going to do about it?"

One woman in the audience suggested speaking to Stephen Joyce, but Mr Peters put it back on to her; "What are you going to do?"

The Manawatu had for a long time created its own wealth, and all around New Zealand people were suffering while the elite was increasing, he said.

Social service cutbacks were being felt in the provinces, and young people should be able to stay in the provinces, not go offshore looking for work.

"We are in serious trouble. There is no foresight, no vision, no plan. The Government has an obsession with Auckland and the Heartland is suffering."

There was no rock star economy and the country was heading into a $70 billion deficit he told the receptive audience. Immigration was again up for scrutiny.

"I'm not attacking immigrants, my attack is on National's policy."

"Are house prices in Woodville going through the roof? You are being thumped, and it's economic humbug."

He wants to cut back on immigration and stop foreign buyers buying homes in Auckland and introduce a capital gains tax for off-shore speculators.

The big corporations have come in, he told the audience, and ordinary Kiwis weren't needed at all.

Zero Hour contracts was also given a bashing by the seasoned politician which he said exposed the "ugly face of capitalism....making us captive to money from abroad".

The TPPA was an attack on sovereignty and New Zealand First was not going to support its signing.

There's going to be a day of reckoning for National and the country, he continued.

"The Government needs the Heartland.

"You should demand to be given a fair go."