Brother Jim nearly there as third Peters MP

By BRIDGET CARTER

Jim Peters is beginning to get used to the idea that he could be the third Peters brother to become an MP.

Brother Winston is leading the party and another brother, Ian, was National MP for Tongariro from 1990 to 1993.

At present 64-year-old Jim is juggling three jobs. He is the Northland College principal, a Northland regional councillor and now a New Zealand First candidate looking more and more likely to win a place in Parliament.

But he says he is too busy campaigning to be tired or worried about the election results. "I haven't had time to be nervous."

Jim Peters admits he did not at first think he had much chance of winning the Northland seat against longstanding National MP John Carter.

But with NZ First polling at over 8 per cent and Winston Peters running well ahead in Tauranga, the party could produce eight or possibly nine MPs.

And Jim Peters is ninth on the party list.

He feels strongly about giving teachers more esteem in society and fighting the legalisation of cannabis, a drug he believes prevents students achieving their goals.

He opposes the building of a prison at Ngawha and advocates more vocational courses in schools.

"And I will be working extremely hard for a speedy resolution of Treaty of Waitangi settlements." If elected, he will make his base in his home town, Kaikohe.