He’s baaack

Written By: - Date published: 7:56 am, June 21st, 2021 - 30 comments
Categories: climate change, Culture wars, global warming, Judith Collins, Maori Issues, national, nz first, winston peters - Tags:

For the first time since the election Winston Peters has reemerged, making an appearance at New Zealand First’s annual general meeting where he gave the keynote speech.

He had the opportunity to talk about the country and its problems and could have focussed in pressing issues such as climate change, child poverty and recovering from the global pandemic.

But instead he chose to talk about what clearly seem to him to be the most pressing issues, the “over” use of Te Reo, cycleways and gangs.

Someone should tell Judith Collins that Winston has stolen all of her party’s attack lines used during the past six months.

He made particular mention of the He Puapua report and at the same time managed to attack cancel culture and wokism, which was no easy feat.  He said this:

And in 2019 a report called ‘He Puapua’ came to government but was never shown to one NZ First Cabinet Minister.

This report was deliberately suppressed.

In short, this report is a recipe for Maori separatism, they knew it and that’s why they suppressed it till after the election in the full knowledge that NZ First is for one flag, one country, one law.

It was a gesture of ingratitude and bad faith.

Growing in our country is a ‘cancel Culture’ where anyone who asks legitimate questions is belittled as a colonialist, a racist, a bigot, a chauvinist, or worse still, not new’ wokeage’.

He managed to show a complete misunderstanding of Auckland’s light rail that made Paul Goldsmith look like he knew what he was talking about.  Winston said this:

You’ve heard of light rail announced to cost $1.7 billion with a tender process, that since the election the Auditor General said was illegal, and where the costs, as we said, have blown out towards $15 billion.

There was never an announcement of cost.  There was a figure of $1.8 billion in the Auckland Transport Alignment Project “that will be used to leverage funding and financing and progress the city-airport and northwest corridors over the next decade.”  This clearly was not the cost of the project.

Winston also had a chance to rail against the EV subsidy scheme, the scheme which his party managed to frustrate when they were in Government.

In typical Winston style after the meeting he refused to talk to reporters despite having previously indicated he would do so.

This was a typical Winston performance.

The tactic is interesting, Labour supporters would resile from what he was saying but National supporters would wholeheartedly agree.  I suspect a few current National supporters will be reviewing their beliefs and see if a Septuagenarian railing against respect for Te Ao Maori, multiculturalism and addressing climate change may be the sort of leader they want ruling the country.

30 comments on “He’s baaack ”

  1. Ad 1

    We're still building multiple PG projects around NZ.

    No sign of light rail, and my bet is if that cycleway doesn't start this term it will go the same way.

    NZF are right there.

    And if Labour can't wrangle a decently structured constitutional debate re Maori, they deserve the hit.

    So they are also right there.

    We need him.

  2. KJT 3

    Someone forgot to hammer the stake in.

  3. Robert Guyton 4

    Same old. Same. Old.

  4. Jenny how to get there 5

    The albatross with a 'handbrack' around its neck

    Still waiting for that 'something positive to offer'.

    "We were pilloried for being the handbrake, but since the last election hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders are coming to understand why we were essential and why we are missed"
    Winston Peters, NZ First leader

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/winston-peters-first-interview-since-election-defeat-hell-lead-nz-first-if-party-wants-him/V37PX5OY4MCKE5NUJFZBOMASUY/

    The court case against the NZ First Foundation:

    "It's certainly problematic. It is a kind of albatross around the neck. And a lot will depend on that ultimately.
    "But they can counter it . . .
    It comes back to the vision and the values, and having something positive to offer."
    Josh Van Veen, party member, and former NZ First researcher

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/winston-peters-first-interview-since-election-defeat-hell-lead-nz-first-if-party-wants-him/V37PX5OY4MCKE5NUJFZBOMASUY/

  5. Byd0nz 6

    The Opportunist's opportunity has gone, good riddance to the former Muldoon protégé

    • tc 6.1

      IMO National has created the opportunity by sticking with DP v2.0 represented by the unelectable leader who knows where the skeletons are buried.

  6. How did he find time away from his courtroom battles (which he invariably loses) to address the NZ First conference?

  7. coreyjhumm 8

    I wish him all the best parliament is boring without him. We would probably be in a fifth term of a national government had he not gone with labour, incumbents benefit from a crisis after all and wed potentially have a nat/act govt. "Shudders*

    Nzf is Keynesian and centerist I'd prefer them over nats and act any day of the week.

    Since the left is allowing the right to get the entire free speech vote (which is stupid, surely top could reinvent itself as a somewhat libertarian left leaning party ) I wish Winston all the best in sucking up the pro free speech left and centerist vote and splitting up the social conservative vote.

    Nz f has worked very well with lab govts and has been betrayed constantly by national , nzf is an esrtwhile friend that could provide labour a third or fourth term by splitting the right vote or by going into coalition with us

    Either way for a person who brought this govt to power and when he talks about countries nz should emulate (he always says Scandinavia should be who emulate) Winston gets far too bad a wrap from the nz left he's not a ukip or a Farage who are radical neoliberals he's … He's weird …. And has more in common with the left than the right … He deserves more respect than he gets …

    Won't vote for him but I miss Winston.

  8. mary_a 9

    Oh God, he has risen yet again! The spectre of Winston Peters attempting to become relevant, is beginning to smell somewhat overblown now, once more engaging his already converted followers, telling them what they want to hear. It's like a time warp into the past all over again!

    Where are NZF's policies to take NZ towards the future? IMO new policy has always been low on the ground as far as NZF is concerned.

    Until WP steps down from the leadership and hands the role over to someone fresh, keen, having the drive to deliver strong progressive policy, NZF will remain out of Parliament. And by fresh, I don't mean … give me strength … Shane Jones!

  9. roy cartland 10

    There was something on the grapevine a while back (may have been one of Chris Trotter's pieces) that Winston was really just a false-flag lightning rod for all those old-fashioned sentiments, forever attracting (thus splitting) that vote, but never really enacting any of it.

    Kind of the Professor Snape of NZ politics.

  10. ken 11

    Now that he's upset both major parties, who will want to work with him?

    Who will want to vote for him?

  11. What is wrong about voting for septuagenerians? Are you an ageist? Time you grew up.

    • ken 12.1

      Was that directed at me?

      Where did I mention age?

      • greywarshark 12.1.1

        That was a great example of projection by peter s. (see projection – psychology)

      • Incognito 12.1.2

        No, I don’t believe that it was directed at you. Peter’s comment was a standalone one (AKA a new thread @ 12) and not a reply to yours – it would have been a nested comment with nested comment number, e.g., @ 11.1 – and appears to be referring to the last sentence of the OP.

        Chill smiley

        • ken 12.1.2.1

          He did seem to be asking someone a couple of questions and then telling them off.

          I'm not losing any sleep over it.

  12. Brendan 13

    Yes he is back.

    But remember, he only has to appeal to the 10% of the electorate that is likely to vote for him. Thus he will offend the Greens, leftist Labour and even Act voters, because at the end of the day – these people are not going to vote for him.

    [correction made to user name]

  13. Patricia Bremner 14

    Winston is "The come back king". He always spots likely weaknesses, so considering how to counter his arguments might be wise.

    He has no time for the current National Party, is old school and yet supported Jacinda Ardern.

    An enigma is Winston, except he really does see "New Zealand" as an important entity. Why he is so threatened by Maori renaissance is difficult to fathom, and his 'two laws" stance only partially explains it. Perhaps someone with more inside knowledge may explain or clarify this more.

    He is a force, so the implications need to be considered, as the disaffected may look to him at the next election.

    • solkta 14.1

      I don't think Winston is threatened by Maori renaissance at all. He sees an opportunity to gain votes and seizes it. I'm not even sure if he is actually racist against Asians. It is all niche marketing. As Rod Donald said, a snake oil merchant.

    • GreenBus 14.2

      Winston made his name in my old home town – Tauranga. Pandering to old white people which he knew very well were highly racist, back then. He hasn't changed and can't be trusted, unless you want to keep non whites at the bottom of the heap.

    • Anne 14.3

      Why he is so threatened by Maori renaissance is difficult to fathom..

      I see solkta has beaten me to it. He isn't threatened. Just an attempt to get the red-neck vote back – Waitakere man and woman.

  14. Patricia Bremner 15

    So divide and rule? I remember "Bob the Builder" who beat Winston in Tauranga, rather poor candidate imo.

  15. georgecom 16

    perhaps one the the strangest political quotes of recent times coming from Winnie, why he didn't go with the "sex maniac party". Looking forward to using that line on my local Sex Mani…….um, National Party MP.

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  • MICHAEL BASSETT: A new Ministry – at last
    Michael Bassett writes – Like most people, I was getting heartily sick of all the time being wasted over the coalition negotiations. During the first three weeks Winston grinned like a Cheshire cat, certain he’d be needed; Chris Luxon wasted time in lifting the phone to Winston ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Luxon's Breakfast.
    The Prime Minister elect had his silver fern badge on. He wore it to remind viewers he was supporting New Zealand, that was his team. Despite the fact it made him look like a concierge, or a welcomer in a Koru lounge. Anna Burns-Francis, the Breakfast presenter, asked if he ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • LINDSAY MITCHELL:  Oranga Tamariki faces major upheaval under coalition agreement
     Lindsay Mitchell writes – A hugely significant gain for ACT is somewhat camouflaged by legislative jargon. Under the heading ‘Oranga Tamariki’ ACT’s coalition agreement contains the following item:   Remove Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 According to Oranga Tamariki:     “Section ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • BRIAN EASTON:  Peters as Minister
    A previous column looked at Winston Peters biographically. This one takes a closer look at his record as a minister, especially his policy record. Brian Easton writes – 1990-1991: Minister of Māori Affairs. Few remember Ka Awatea as a major document on the future of Māori policy; there is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Cathrine Dyer's guide to watching COP 28 from the bottom of a warming planet
    Is COP28 largely smoke and mirrors and a plan so cunning, you could pin a tail on it and call it a weasel? Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: COP28 kicks off on November 30 and up for negotiation are issues like the role of fossil fuels in the energy transition, contributions to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Top 10 news links at 10 am for Monday, Nov 27
    PM Elect Christopher Luxon was challenged this morning on whether he would sack Adrian Orr and Andrew Coster.TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am on Monday November 27, including:Signs councils are putting planning and capital spending on hold, given a lack of clear guidance ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the new government’s policies of yesteryear
    This column expands on a Werewolf column published by Scoop on Friday Routinely, Winston Peters is described as the kingmaker who gets to decide when the centre right or the centre-left has a turn at running this country. He also plays a less heralded but equally important role as the ...
    6 days ago
  • The New Government’s Agreements
    Last Friday, almost six weeks after election day, National finally came to an agreement with ACT and NZ First to form a government. They also released the agreements between each party and looking through them, here are the things I thought were the most interesting (and often concerning) from the. ...
    6 days ago
  • How many smokers will die to fund the tax cuts?
    Maori and Pasifika smoking rates are already over twice the ‘all adult’ rate. Now the revenue that generates will be used to fund National’s tax cuts. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The devil is always in the detail and it emerged over the weekend from the guts of the policy agreements National ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • How the culture will change in the Beehive
    Perhaps the biggest change that will come to the Beehive as the new government settles in will be a fundamental culture change. The era of endless consultation will be over. This looks like a government that knows what it wants to do, and that means it knows what outcomes ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • No More Winnie Blues.
    So what do you think of the coalition’s decision to cancel Smokefree measures intended to stop young people, including an over representation of Māori, from taking up smoking? Enabling them to use the tax revenue to give other people a tax cut?David Cormack summed it up well:It seems not only ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago
  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #47
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science  Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Nov 19, 2023 thru Sat, Nov 25, 2023.  Story of the Week World stands on frontline of disaster at Cop28, says UN climate chief  Exclusive: Simon Stiell says leaders must ‘stop ...
    1 week ago
  • Some of it is mad, some of it is bad and some of it is clearly the work of people who are dangerous ...
    On announcement morning my mate texted:Typical of this cut-price, fake-deal government to announce itself on Black Friday.What a deal. We lose Kim Hill, we gain an empty, jargonising prime minister, a belligerent conspiracist, and a heartless Ayn Rand fanboy. One door closes, another gets slammed repeatedly in your face.It seems pretty ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • “Revolution” is the threat as the Māori Party smarts at coalition government’s Treaty directi...
    Buzz from the Beehive Having found no fresh announcements on the government’s official website, Point of Order turned today to Scoop’s Latest Parliament Headlines  for its buzz. This provided us with evidence that the Māori Party has been soured by the the coalition agreement announced yesterday by the new PM. “Soured” ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago
  • The Good, the Bad, and the even Worse.
    Yesterday the trio that will lead our country unveiled their vision for New Zealand.Seymour looking surprisingly statesmanlike, refusing to rise to barbs about his previous comments on Winston Peters. Almost as if they had just been slapstick for the crowd.Winston was mostly focussed on settling scores with the media, making ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • When it Comes to Palestine – Free Speech is Under Threat
    Hi,Thanks for getting amongst Mister Organ on digital — thanks to you, we hit the #1 doc spot on iTunes this week. This response goes a long way to helping us break even.I feel good about that. Other things — not so much.New Zealand finally has a new government, and ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago
  • Thank you Captain Luxon. Was that a landing, or were we shot down?
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Also in More Than A FeildingFriday The unboxing And so this is Friday and what have we gone and done to ourselves?In the same way that a Christmas present can look lovely under the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • Cans of Worms.
    “And there’ll be no shortage of ‘events’ to test Luxon’s political skills. David Seymour wants a referendum on the Treaty. Winston wants a Royal Commission of Inquiry into Labour’s handling of the Covid crisis. Talk about cans of worms!”LAURIE AND LES were very fond of their local. It was nothing ...
    1 week ago
  • Disinformation campaigns are undermining democracy. Here’s how we can fight back
    This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Misinformation is debated everywhere and has justifiably sparked concerns. It can polarise the public, reduce health-protective behaviours such as mask wearing and vaccination, and erode trust in science. Much of misinformation is spread not ...
    1 week ago
  • Peters as Minister
    A previous column looked at Winston Peters biographically. This one takes a closer look at his record as a minister, especially his policy record.1990-1991: Minister of Māori Affairs. Few remember Ka Awatea as a major document on the future of Māori policy; there is not even an entry in Wikipedia. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
    A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Further humanitarian support for Gaza, the West Bank and Israel
    The Government is contributing a further $5 million to support the response to urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, bringing New Zealand’s total contribution to the humanitarian response so far to $10 million. “New Zealand is deeply saddened by the loss of civilian life and the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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