"Peters, the unpredictable leader of the populist New Zealand First party, became kingmaker after gaining 7.5% of the vote and nine seats, although not his own seat of Northland. The 72-year-old lawyer made a teasing statement to the media about his intentions before rushing to board the last ferry home on Saturday night."
New Zealand's Trump-esque 'Kingmaker' to decide election - 7 News Australia
The New Zealand First leader was compared to Trump for his fiery rhetoric and anti-immigration policies.
"For decades New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has been known as "The Kingmaker" - a role the populist anti-immigration campaigner is set to play again after the country's general election ended in a stalemate.
"Peters, a political veteran whose fiery rhetoric has seen him compared to US President Donald Trump, knows how to extract the most from coalition negotiations.
"And despite his often trenchant views, he has shown in the past that he is pragmatic and will support either side of politics if the right offer is made.
"Peters has played kingmaker twice before."
"New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is set to be kingmaker, as the New Zealand election on Saturday ended with neither major party securing a majority to form government.
"Mr Peters has been kingmaker, a label he despises, twice before but history is no indication of what decision he'll make this time around.
"In 1996, he sided with National, working alongside prime minister Jim Bolger and later his successor Jenny Shipley, who coincidentally was having dinner at the same restaurant as Mr Peters party on Saturday night."
Center-right party hangs on in New Zealand election - New York
Times
"After a tumultuous campaign, the center-right governing party in New Zealand placed first in the country's general election on Saturday, but failed to capture a parliamentary majority, meaning it will have to assemble a coalition if it wants to extend its nine-year hold on power."
The NY Times reported Winston Peters would hold the cards to power, writing: "Although Peters leans to the right, he is unpredictable, and he could conceivably ally with Labour and the Green Party, which won 7 seats."
New Zealand election stalemate in volatile campaign - The Telegraph
"The campaign has been the most volatile in recent memory, with momentum swinging from Mr English to Ms Ardern and then back again.
"Mr English was in the driving seat to win a fourth term until Ms Ardern took over the Labour Party last month.
"She galvanised support for the ailing centre-left party, giving it a 20-point popularity boost to draw level with National."
