NZ First leader Winston Peters invoked 1930s US president Franklin D. Roosevelt in a speech in Rotorua today by calling for a "New Kiwi Deal" to solve the country's unemployment problem.
In a party conference address that included many of his favourite talking points-immigration, foreign ownership, the dangers of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement-Mr Peters also entertained the assembled party faithful with a series of swipes at John Key's National government, at one point labelling the current administration as "new age political wideboys".
After entering the conference room at Rotorua's Distinction Hotel to the sound of accompanying bagpipe players, Mr Peters quickly launched into combative mode.
He used the ongoing national debate over immigration and foreign ownership to attack the government for its policies, which Mr Peters claimed helped no-one-citizen or immigrant.
"Don't blame the immigrants or foreign buyers, blame those in this country who encourage it," said Mr Peters.