NZ First targets tax at launch

Winston Peters is crooner John Rowles' choice for Prime Minister. Photo / Herald on Sunday

NZ First leader Winston Peters has promised supporters NZ First will cut GST and personal, company and savings tax and instead "make the multimillionaires pay their share" to ensure everybody gets "a fair go."

He told about 700 supporters at his party's campaign launch that he was aiming to get 190,000 votes this election - double the number his party received in 2008 when it only just missed out on getting back into Parliament.

Mr Peters was escorted up to the stage by a group of young supporters to a standing ovation.

Mr Peters did not reveal which electorate - if any - he would be standing in despite much speculation about it.

In his speech, he said this was a critical election for New Zealand if it was to return to its 'former glory.' NZ First stood for a "fair go" for all.

He set out the party's tax policy which he claimed would make 90 per cent of people better off. It included less personal tax, removing tax on savings, less company tax and reducing GST back to 12.5 per cent.

The policy also included removing GST on rates, which he said was "a tax on a tax - that's intellectual fraud, and we're going to abolish it."

He said the combined wealth of the richlisters increased by 20 per cent last year, and CEOs were getting 100 times the average wage.

"Which CEO's performance justifies that?"

Other policy included throwing out national standards, which he said was "fictitious."

He also indicated the Super Gold Card would be boosted - to include discounts on power bill, medical bills and car registration costs.

Mr Peters ridiculed both National and Labour, whom he likened to rugby balls: "you never know which way they will bounce next."

He said Mr Key had "gone to South Auckland and promised the people there a better life. Did it happen? No."

"They increased the tax people pay on their food, their clothing, their petrol, their doctors' bills."

He said Labour had sold many state assets in the 1980s, but had now stolen NZ First's policy of keeping them. It had also changed its tune on compulsory superannuation.

Mr Peters spoke to his supporters after a lively performance by singer John Rowles, who told the audience he believed Mr Peters should have been Prime Minister long ago - and still could be.

Mr Rowles entertained about 700 supporters at the party's launch at Alexandra Park this afternoon, telling them "to my mind and in my opinion, this man should have been our Prime Minister long ago."

He said it was still not too late: "He's a good man and I believe he could be a great, great leader for our beautiful country, New Zealand."

"Let's bring the man into power."