Peters has no time for doubts

By Scott MacLeod

Winston Peters refuses to concede that his election chances are ebbing, despite warnings from the polls.

Visiting a technology plant in Auckland yesterday, Mr Peters insisted that New Zealand First was poised for another stint in Parliament.

When questioned about the party's dip beneath the 5 per cent mark that assures seats under MMP, he accused the media of running a "grubby little campaign."

"Why don't you guys just focus on the issues," said Mr Peters. "We're going to do very well, and we're happily going on to victory."

Yet the polls are very much an issue. They show NZ First on 4.8 per cent nationally, and its two seats, Tauranga and Te Tai Tonga, teetering on the brink of being lost.

Mr Peters said he still felt confident in the key seats.

A difference of a few thousand votes could see NZ First gain about six MPs or none at all. The last Tauranga poll, 11 days ago, showed Mr Peters trailing National's Katherine O'Regan by 1 per cent.

A poll last weekend showed Tutekawa Wyllie locked in a close struggle with Labour's Mahara Okeroa in Te Tai Tonga.