Labour 'haven't ruled out' deal with NZ First

Phil Goff has said he won't rule out talking to NZ First. Photo / Dean Purcell

Labour's not ruling out cutting a post election deal with Winston Peters and New Zealand First.

Phil Goff's made the admission to Mike Hosking during Newstalk ZB's leader's breakfast broadcast this morning.

"Look, we'll have a look at what the election throws up and who we need to talk to," he says.

Asked if he did need to talk to Mr Peters, would he, Mr Goff replied "I haven't ruled that out."

Mr Goff says he's also not ruled out doing a deal with the Maori Party.

Meanwhile New Zealand First's stated position is that it won't do a deal with anyone and intends to be in opposition if it makes it back to Parliament.

Mr Goff says his policies on superannuation and the minimum wage won't be up for review - even if they don't work.

Labour wants employer contributions to superannuation schemes lifted eventually to seven per cent - at half a per cent a year - and a minimum wage of $15 an hour.

He says that still doesn't make it as ambitious as Australia's scheme.

"There's flexibility within that. A company that's doing really well, will simply take that out of their profit or their increased productivity. A company not doing so well will be negotiating with the worker that there'll be some offset," he says.

Mr Goff says that's how it worked in Australia, where it was very successful.

The Labour leader has been asked which of the Labour Party's policies would create higher economic growth to deliver jobs.

The question has come from Newstalk ZB business correspondent Roger Kerr at the leader's breakfast.

The Labour Party leader says everyone knows we don't save enough and don't have the investment capital to own our own future.

"That savings programme will be the single biggest thing in generating investment capital for growth in business, growth in jobs, growth in income for that matter," he says.

Mr Goff says research and development and upskilling are also important for creating jobs.

Asset sales and John Banks' cuppa were discussed early on at the breakfast.

Mr Goff insists he's getting traction out on the road and people overwhelmingly don't want asset sales.

He's also says he's not in favour of secret meetings and doubts the two men would have said anything of much consequence in such a public place.