Peters vows tax cuts, discounts for aged

John Rowles. Photo / Steven McNicholl

NZ First leader Winston Peters has launched his comeback attempt by promising tax cuts and more Super Gold Card discounts, and has won a celebrity endorsement from singer John Rowles.

Mr Peters told about 700 supporters at the party's campaign launch at Alexandra Park in Auckland yesterday that he would cut GST back to 12.5 per cent and lower personal, company and savings tax.

NZ First would "make the multimillionaires pay their share" by overhauling tax law to ensure the wealthy could not avoid their share of tax.

He also told Super Gold Card holders that they would be in line for discounted power bills, cheaper doctor fees and cheaper car registration under NZ First policies.

His old friend John Rowles entertained supporters before Mr Peters appeared, singing songs including Tania, Cheryl Moana Marie and Delilah. Rowles, who also endorsed Mr Peters in 2008, said he believed Mr Peters could still become the Prime Minister. "This man should have been our Prime Minister long ago."

Asked later about the endorsement, Mr Peters said he had not heard it but that Rowles was clearly an astute man.

Mr Peters said he believed the party could get 190,000 votes this election - double the number it received in 2008 when it just missed out on getting back into Parliament.

Mr Peters did not reveal which electorate - if any - he would stand in, despite speculation he would try to reclaim Tauranga to tap into discontent with the Government since the grounding of the Rena.

He said that would be announced tomorrow, when the final nominations were due.

Candidates include former North Shore Mayor Andrew Williams, former weather broadcaster Brendan Horan, former NZ First MPs Pita Paraone and Barbara Stewart, and Dr Hugh Barr, a scientist who opposed National's overhaul of the foreshore and seabed legislation.

Mr Peters likened National and Labour to rugby balls: "You never know which way they'll bounce next."