Winston Peters. Photo / Mark Mitchell
A "media committee" set up by New Zealand First to improve its public face will include leader Winston Peters, despite his having a palpable distaste for reporters.
New Zealand First president George Groombridge said Mr Peters, the former Foreign Minister in the previous Labour Administration, would be on
the committee.
The committee would also include the former television weatherman Brendan Horan.
Asked if Mr Peters himself needed help, Mr Groombridge replied: "I don't think there's any doubt about that."
Mr Groombridge said Mr Horan's advice would be critical in improving the party's dealings with the media.
He believed Mr Horan would work on Mr Peters.
The committee, whose other members are Mr Groombridge and party secretary Anne Martin, was one of the resolutions of Saturday's meeting about the future of the party, which was turfed out of Parliament at the election.
Mr Peters avoided the media before and after but Mr Groombridge said he was left "under no illusion that Winston Peters is totally committed to the future of New Zealand First".
Mr Horan's appointment as the party's spokesman is seen as a sign he will be stepping forward as one of its new faces.
Deputy leader Peter Brown stood down at the meeting, after earlier criticising Mr Peters and the party's election campaign.
Suggestions that Mr Peters have a co-leader did not gain any traction, and Ron Mark, a candidate for any leadership role, did not return calls yesterday.
About 100 party members attended Saturday's meeting, the first since last year's election, when Mr Peters failed to regain the Tauranga seat and NZ First did not reach the 5 per cent threshold of party votes to get back into Parliament.
