From RNZ · RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa · · 1m 10s
Minor parties keep calm in kingmakers debate
Minor parties stay calm as kingmakers debate shifts focus to policy.
In brief
Minor parties stay calm as kingmakers debate shifts focus to policy. NZ First leader Winston Peters dismissed National and Labour leaders as 'not in the same league' while minor parties maintained civil debate amid low polling for major parties. Originally reported by RNZ.
Winston Peters dismisses major parties
Winston Peters called National leader Christopher Luxon and Labour leader Chris Hipkins 'not in the same league' as other prime ministers he had worked with.
“not in the same league”
Peters checks watch during debate
Peters told moderators he had somewhere else to be after saying he would not have kneejerk reactions.
“yes i have”
Peters makes policy commitment
Peters committed to a $120 increase in weekly Working for Families benefit payments.
“$120 increase”
Minor parties maintain civil debate
All five participants kept debate civil with Wong and Seymour especially cordial.
“i was expecting a little bit more bickering”
Peters targets moderators and media
Peters criticized moderators for questions not getting to the point and lambasted lack of reporters at his public meetings.
“the questions did not get to the point”
Vibe tracker shows support
Wong won 35 percent support on the vibe tracker, Swarbrick 29 percent, Seymour 23 percent, Peters 9 percent, Waititi 4 percent.
“35 percent”
The headline
NZ First leader Winston Peters dismissed National and Labour leaders as 'not in the same league' while minor parties maintained civil debate amid low polling for major parties.
