Peters warns of a Chinese takeover

Winston Peters claims another Chinese bidder is trying to buy the Crafar dairy farms which he says the Government is trying to keep under wraps until after the election. File photo / NZ Herald

A Chinese takeover is being predicted by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters with a warning that if our energy companies are partially sold power prices will go through the roof.

Mr Peters has told a Grey Power meeting they had better start buying more clothes and blankets because they won't be able to afford the rising prices if the Chinese or the Australians move to buy the power stations.

He also warns that Chinese are hungrily eying our dairy farms, saying it's our main source of wealth and should remain in New Zealand hands. He says they're also a major source of protein in a world running out of food and China is one of the only countries with any money.

Mr Peters claims another Chinese bidder is trying to buy the Crafar dairy farms which he claims the Government is trying to keep under wraps until after the election.

He believes the sale will be rubber stamped by the Overseas Investment Commission but says his party will block the sales at every turn by mobilising a people's army to stop what he says is economic lunacy.

Mr Peters has also launched an attack on three National Party leaders accusing them of selling our country.

The New Zealand First leader says Jenny Shipley is the head salesperson for selling New Zealand to the Chinese. Mr Peters says Wrightsons, the main supplier to the agriculture industry, is now controlled by China thanks to her.

He says Don Brash is going to help John Key stay on track with asset sales and a full privatisation campaign.

Mr Peters says he also wants to cut the pension and raise the eligibility age using John Key as the smiley front person.

He's accused Mr Key of telling the biggest porkie in the history of New Zealand politics by saying 170,000 new jobs will be created when his Budget was all about getting rid of jobs.

- Newstalk ZB