PM jumps into NZ First list row

PM jumps into NZ First list row
By Andrew Laxon and NZPA

A bad-tempered slanging match over New Zealand First's party list blew up last night into a personal row between leader Winston Peters and the Prime Minister, Jenny Shipley.

Mrs Shipley attacked Mr Peters' ability to work with women after his party effectively dumped its only two female MPs, Jenny Bloxham and Robyn McDonald.

Mr Peters hit back by saying that Mrs Shipley had adopted "more coalition positions than a belly dancer" since the start of the election campaign.

Mrs Bloxham was demoted from 5th to 20th on NZ First's party list, which was released minutes before nominations closed on Wednesday.

She called Mr Peters a "dickwit" and said he was a "bit thick" to promote the mainly male newcomers ahead of her on the list.

Ms McDonald, who was dropped from 14th to 20th, said she was seeking legal advice after being told her low ranking was because of her weak electoral organisation. She did not believe these were proper grounds to demote her under the party's constitution.

Mrs Shipley, who told Monday's televised leaders' debate that she would not want Mr Peters back in her cabinet, said she was appalled that NZ First's two women MPs had been treated in this way.

"Mr Peters should explain why he finds it so difficult to recognise the ability of his women political colleagues."

Mr Peters turned the argument around to Mrs Shipley's comments on coalitions.

"One minute Mrs Shipley says that she and I worked cooperatively and constructively, the next that I frustrated good government.

"One minute she is criticising MMP, the next she is saying that she wants Kiwis to gain confidence that coalitions can work."

Despite the renewed hostility between the two leaders, today's New Zealand Herald-DigiPoll survey shows they may have to work together.

NZ First continues to hold the balance of power, with National and Labour each unable to form a government without Mr Peters' support.

Labour leader Helen Clark also said the two women had been very badly treated.

"When NZ First broke up they stayed with NZ First. They didn't rat. They kept favour with their voters and their reward has been to be brutally dumped by Winston Peters and the party."

Earlier, Mr Peters said 19 party representatives had decided on the list rankings, knowing some individuals would not be happy with the outcome.

"That is democracy, they are the rules and we all have to live by them."