Peters says re-election is now a certainty

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters. Photo / Dean Purcell

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters was in a buoyant mood as he returned to his old stamping ground yesterday, boasting that his re-election was now beyond doubt.

Despite steady rain, about 200 people turned up for a public rally in Tauranga's Red Square, the location of Mr Peters' biggest meetings in the electorate he held for 21 years.

His half-hour speech covered familiar territory as he railed against foreign ownership, increased immigration, and high debt.

But he was mostly in a relaxed mood, apparently because of his party's momentum in the polls.

Introducing his party's candidates in the audience, he said: "Needless to say all of us will be in Parliament very shortly."

After the speech, Rotorua candidate Fletcher Tabuteau admitted he had already begun looking at apartments in Wellington. Ranked fourth on the New Zealand First list, he appears likely to enter Parliament for the first time.

Tauranga candidate and city councillor Clayton Mitchell could join him.

Mr Peters said that along with these new faces, his party list had "a balance of experience - not people who don't know where the parliamentary toilets are".

Asked about his campaign strategy, Mr Peters said his party had struck a chord by avoiding "the dirt and grubby stuff" and by visiting the parts of New Zealand that "never saw any politicians at all".

He again dismissed any talk of coalitions with a wave of his hand, saying it was too early to make commitments.

"Ever tried to play cards before you saw them? Exactly."

The biggest cheers from the mostly grey-haired crowd followed his promises of restricting foreign land sales and wringing maximum value out of New Zealand's primary industries.

If New Zealand doesn't add value, guess who will? he asked the crowd.

"China," the audience responded in unison.

Long-time supporter Valerie Scott braved the rain and sat in the front row, holding an umbrella close to her face.

"I've voted for him every time. I still think he's a great man," she said.

"I came to listen but I don't really need to. He's had the same facts, the same schedule, every time. I know what he stands for."