KEY POINTS:
Winston Peters was at his fiery best as he hosted a talkback radio show this morning, calling one listener a moron.
He did most of the talking during the Newstalk ZB show, mainly fielding calls from supporters and answering gentle questions on his senior citizens policy.
He was also congratulated for the work he had done with Grey Power on superannuation rates.
But there was the odd bit of criticism. One text came in which said: "You are a despicable political prostitute and a lapdog. Hopefully you will soon be assigned to the dustbin of history".
Mr Peters responded by saying some people inside the National-New Zealand First coalition of 1996 thought he had too much power and that proved he was no lapdog.
"Look in the mirror. I'm sorry but you're a full flushing, un-risked, reconstructed moron and you're welcome to vote for any party you like. I hope you don't vote for mine," Mr Peters said.
He went on to say: "What have you ever done in your life but do a text and not even make English of that as well," Mr Peters said.
Another listener, Josh, said Mr Peters had been sidelined in the news since taking up the portfolio of Foreign Affairs.
But Mr Peters said he took the position because he was concerned with the direction the country was taking.
"We live in a dramatically changing world and if we don't make an investment off-shore in defence of our country's image, our position, our identity and above all our trade, we are going to lose out and that is why I took the job," Mr Peters said.
He told nzherald.co.nz after the show that he thought it went well.
"They told me there was a number of calls and that is what you judge it by in the end. One guy wrote this nasty thing so I thought I'd just deal with him," Mr Peters said.
He said otherwise callers were supportive.
Mr Peters said he had done a similar show on RadioLive about two months ago.
Newstalk ZB's general manager of talk Bill Francis said with Leighton Smith away, the programme decided to have four politicians host the show for the rest of the week. Earlier in the week Rodney Hide and Tau Henare hosted the slot while tomorrow Shane Jones will be in the hot seat.
He said the hosts have attracted a lot of calls.
"I didn't choose people based on party allegiances but personalities. They've certainly got a lot of confidence," Mr Francis said.
