Winston Peters has burst back onto the political scene with an attack on the government's direction on the foreshore and seabed issue.
The NZ First leader and former Tauranga MP says moves to change the current law are 'separatist” and would be a 'dramatic retrograde step” for New Zealand.

Appearing on One News Q+A on Sunday, his first major interview since the elections, Mr Peters climbed into the National Government for doing a 'subtle under the table deal” with the Maori Party and re-igniting the foreshore and seabed debate.
Mr Peters says the seabed and foreshore had not been campaigned for by National or Maori Party before the 2008 election. Now the issue was 'smack back in the arena.”
He says it would be disastrous for New Zealand's long term future and moves to change the current law would make ownership, right and privilege to be one of race.
Mr Peters says under the current legislation, driven by NZ First, the country can have 'our past inside our future where everyone is equal.”
Any argument about title is separatist thinking. The activists promoting change are 'all about distinctive Maori title.”

He would not confirm whether his step back into the political spotlight meant he would lead the charge for NZ First in the 2011 general election.
'I will cross that bridge when I come to it.”