Winston Peters remains a popular politician in Tauranga with Red Square packed with NZ First party faithful at lunchtime.
They came to see Winston talk about New Zealand First's position in the upcoming general election.
NZ First leader Winston Peters meets people in Tauranga's Red Square. See video below for full coverage.
However, Winston began his speech with comments on the ‘tea pot tape' incident.
This is the incident involving the recording of a conversation between Prime Minister John Key and the Epsom candidate for Act, John Banks, while they had a cup of tea last week.
Winston did not offer comment on what was recorded, but instead noted his contempt for the distraction to the campaign trail.
'Here we are in the midst of another election and the biggest issue today is what happened over a cup of tea.
'Well the truth will be out shortly on how some politicians conduct themselves over another party's internal leadership problems.
'I am more interested in people knowing where New Zealand First is going.”
In his speech, Winston focused on how he will not work with other political parties and will instead sit on the opposition benches if NZ First returns to Parliament.
'Let me assure you we will not be working with Labour and Act, or the Maori Party and Labour or the Greens – we will be sitting in opposition.”
Winston says he is 100 per cent behind New Zealand's MMP electoral system.
'We believe in MMP because we remember First Past the Post. We believe the party that gets the most votes should at least try to form the next government.
'But there is one condition and that is not to let any political party in New Zealand govern alone.”
In this election Winston says other parties are ignoring the real issues.
'The separatist policies of other parties are making two classes of New Zealanders.
'Maori do not need a separate welfare system and Maori don't need their own prison system.
'NZ First will fight for one set of laws no matter what they are.”
Elderly Opotiki resident Shirley Richmond really enjoyed Winston's speech.
'The speech was excellent. We loved it when he made us all feel one. We agree with everything he says especially the part of bringing us together as one.”
Although Winston is not running as an electorate candidate for Tauranga in the general election he says he is still feels a connection to the city and enjoys coming back to the Bay of Plenty.
Winston served as MP for Tauranga from 1984 to 2005 before being defeated by National's Bob Clarkson.
10 comments
Won't work with other parties
Posted on 15-11-2011 19:30 | By Gee Really
Really? I think I remember him once saying something like he wouldn't accept the baubles of office. Ummmm!
Posted on 15-11-2011 22:11 | By crazysteed
Really, really, really, well that somes it up you did one thing for Tauranga and thats it, well i guess you've have over stayed your welcome your party has done nothing sense then how about you just move on
WINNIE SAID THAT LAST TIME
Posted on 15-11-2011 22:50 | By YOGI
Then made a sweet as deal with labour so perpetuating the pain on the NZ public for another three years. At least we got a free Habour bridge out of it, so then no medaling TCC officials dipping into the toll funds again like before!
A game of chance ?
Posted on 16-11-2011 08:51 | By Hebegeebies
Not the worst offender I can name a few dropkicks still kicking the ball round here in Tauranga that wouldn't measure up to Peters.Got Tauranga a new bridge and was a breath of fresh air for NZ Racing plus he was right on the money about the Wine Box. However he is well past his use by date and usually spouts forth only what he thinks the punters want to hear.In saying that who is any good in NZ politics anygood and who could you ever trust. RIP
Reduce the odds
Posted on 16-11-2011 10:24 | By Openknee8ted
You can remove the "I don't accept that" "I can't remember that" "It wasn't a GST increase, it was a tax realignment" National Party. Next you can remove the Nation B Party "we can not have them in our party, but please vote for them in Epsom ACT Party". Then you can remove the "Excuse me I didn't want to upset you Green Party".
Winston contradiction
Posted on 16-11-2011 13:55 | By ronillian
How can this politician who's reached his Use-By date retain any credibility? First he notes his contempt for the distraction to the campaign trail and then he completely contradicts himself by spending an undue amount of time exracting political milage out of it! When interviewed on Radio National a few mornings ago, he said he wasn't there to discuss the ACT party, he was there to discuss NZ First policy and then he proceeded to spend another undue amount of time scoring political points on the ACT-National debacle! He tries to get it both ways! He needs the media to get his profile out there and yet he acts so belligernt with interviewers! His manipulating, posturing and belligerence, not to mention his populist policies leave me cold.
excitment
Posted on 16-11-2011 19:08 | By tonyb1
Winston does a lot behind the scene, he makes politic's a bit of fun and maybe keeps a few people almost honest in this town
WORK CUT OUT ON THAT MATE
Posted on 17-11-2011 11:43 | By YOGI
@ TONYB1, Winnie has got his work cut out there mate, all he can do is expose them for what they are, that means they will continue to try to take him down.
Go Winston!
Posted on 20-11-2011 00:30 | By Shazzadude
It's absolutely awful that Tauranga chose to throw away the political advantage that ensured the city the infrastructure to grow to the level it's at now, sadly Tauranga have already been screwed over in 3 short years of returning to National-promises broken on the BOP corridor, no world cup games, and a leader who chose to attend a Diwali festival rather than go down to Tauranga and let the people know what's happening with Rena. Winston was a great MP for Tauranga, and the country needs him back urgently to stop the damage Key intends to do to this country.
Past his use-by?
Posted on 23-11-2011 13:46 | By PeteDashwood
A number of posters have said he is past it. Looking at this video, I'm not sure (even though a section of it appears black with no sound on my screen... censored?) A good democracy needs effective Opposition and it looks to me like he is still pretty good at that. I wouldn't be writing NZ First in general, and Winston Peters in particular, off as having any bearing on the coming election. As for not working with anybody, a week is a long time in politics...
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