Peters taunts: use us or lose us

By Andrew Laxon

NZ First leader Winston Peters has given National and Labour a list of demands as the price of winning his party's support.

Mr Peters, who most polls predict could hold the balance of power again after the election, said last week that NZ First might not form a coalition with either major party and could vote issue by issue from the cross benches.

However, the NZ First leader has been under pressure ever since to say which party he would support, especially on a vital vote of confidence in the Government.

Yesterday he told a rally in the Christchurch Town Hall that any party wanting NZ First's help would have to earn it.

"Tell us what you are going to do about the pensions, the student loans, export incentives, child health, corporate tax dodgers and restoring rural New Zealand.

"And not only tell us what you are going to do - tell us when you are going to do it.

"We will not be giving you a blank cheque but we will give you confidence and supply."

A spokesman for Prime Minister Jenny Shipley said these issues could be debated after the election.

A Labour spokeswoman said the party had already released detailed policies on all the issues raised by Mr Peters.