NZ First stand leaves big two cold

Winston Peters

It was not in the interests of either Prime Minister Helen Clark or National leader Don Brash to be positive about New Zealand First's new position this close to an election. They were not.

Helen Clark did not think it was clear what Mr Peters' post-election position was.

She said that sitting on the cross-benches was not an answer. "There are decisions to be made."

Dr Brash's response to Mr Peters' speech was that "all of a sudden, nothing happened".

"A vote for New Zealand First doesn't deliver you anything which is predictable."

Mr Peters was basically telling voters to support him and he would decide which way the country went.

"I think that's one thing that New Zealanders won't find attractive."

Asked if there would be any change in strategy, Dr Brash said: "We don't have any deals contemplated in either Tauranga or Epsom."

He had no plans to talk to Mr Peters.