Opponents upstaged as Peters steals the show

By JO-MARIE BROWN

For a few seconds, Act candidate Ron Scott basked in the applause that rang around Tauranga's Baycourt Theatre yesterday as he approached the podium to speak.

But his confidence soon faded when, from the corner of his eye, he noticed Winston Peters emerge from the wings and slide into a front-row seat on stage beside him.

The New Zealand First leader was 40 minutes late to a meet-the-candidates forum organised by Western Bay of Plenty Grey Power. But that did not stop him from stealing the show.

Six of the Tauranga electorate's nine candidates who had spoken before Mr Peters, including Attorney-General Margaret Wilson, received a mixed reaction to their three-minute-long addresses.

Ms Wilson was heckled for her thinly veiled criticism of Mr Peters, the incumbent MP, when she stated that Tauranga's interests had been overlooked for too long.

"I know ... that Tauranga needs a direct voice in Government," she said, as she urged voters to give two ticks on their ballot paper to Labour.

But New Zealand First policies have struck a chord with many Tauranga constituents, with Mr Peters' performance yesterday showing he is confident of returning to Parliament.

About 130 Grey Power members were reminded of Mr Peters' plan to fix three things in three years - law and order, the Treaty of Waitangi, and immigration.

"The best immigrant is a young New Zealander coming home to a better economy," he said.

Despite running over his allocated speaking time, a composed Mr Peters then waited patiently to attack his competitors.

Other party candidates had targeted rising crime and the disintegration of the family unit as important election issues, both of which received strong support from the audience.

But come question time, Mr Peters could not resist having his say - especially if the question was directed at someone else.

The forum developed into a verbal sparring match between the New Zealand First leader and Ms Wilson over issues as diverse as older drivers, same-sex marriages and money for education.

And from the wide smile on Mr Peters' face throughout, it is clear he is enjoying this campaign.

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