Episode description
Episode description
Call this the week of Winston Peters - with the New Zealand First leader, riding a wave of renewed relevancy. In not one, but two TV polls, New Zealand First featured above that critical 5 percent threshold - and furthermore in that most pivotal of spots - necessary for National to form a government. In Focus on Politics this week, RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch breaks down the latest week of the election campaign, a week where Winston Peters came to the fore.
"In the end, the voters of this country will decide this issue. Not politicians and certainly not the media" - Winston Peters
What a week for Winston.
In not one, but two TV polls, New Zealand First featured above that critical 5 percent threshold - and furthermore in that most pivotal of spots - necessary for National to form a government.
Listen to the full podcast
On Monday, Christopher Luxon acknowledged the state of play - explicitly ruling in New Zealand First as a potential partner - after weeks of implicitly doing so. A double-edged message from the National leader - a reluctant yes to New Zealand First - but an effective plea to voters - I'll make that call if I have to, but please don't make me.
But this sort of profile and attention is exactly what Peters wants - a platform with which to break back into Parliament. Yet another resurrection.
It's also what Labour wants - and needs right now - as it continues to slide in popularity - wallowing in the mid-20s on current polling - with no road to power.
Chris Hipkins knows he needs a circuit-breaker - and he seized on National's announcement as a potential one - throwing that Coalition of Chaos line back at his opponents. He brought a new fervour to Newshub's head-to-head leaders' debate on Wednesday - their second match-up - and a far more fiery one than the first.
As for Peters, he says desperation is driving Labour to dirty tactics.
And don't forget - next week marks the start of early voting in New Zealand - the runway fast running out for all political parties.
In Focus on Politics this week, RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch breaks down the latest week of the election campaign, a week where Winston Peters came to the fore.
Listen to the full podcast
Listen free to Focus on Politics on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, on iHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts.