# Minor parties keep calm in kingmakers debate

> Minor parties stay calm as kingmakers debate shifts focus to policy.
- Title: Minor parties keep calm in kingmakers debate · RNZ | Shortify
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: nz first, winston peters, chris hipkins, christopher luxon, david seymour, chloe swarbrick, qiulae wong, rawiri waititi, kingmakers, election 2026, policy debate, tepid debate
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1675006/minor-parties-keep-calm-and-carry-on-in-tepid-kingmakers-debate
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-01T21:24:19+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nz first, winston peters, chris hipkins, christopher luxon, david seymour, chloe swarbrick, qiulae wong, rawiri waititi, kingmakers, election 2026, policy debate, tepid debate
## 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
## Key takeaway

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.