October 18, 2017
Peters promises government pick today
The wait will soon be over, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters promising to announce the result of its post-election negotiations this afternoon.
The party caucus met for a third day yesterday to discuss what was on the table from Labour and National.
Mr Peters told Radio Waatea it was essential everyone was clear about the shape of the next government.
"The point is we've gone as fast as we can in very detailed discussions about policy, and policy is everything in this business if you want the government to have a chance in the future. If you don't, you can make up your mind on the first day and say 'if you give me a ministerial post I will go over there.' That's what a lot of parties have done and we don't do that and we're not going to do it now," he says.
National plans a caucus meeting from 11am in Wellington to provide MPs with an update on coalition talks, but a spokesperson for leader Bill English said he had no indication what decision New Zealand First will make.
If New Zealand First opts for a Labour, the Green Party will also need to sign off its role in the arrangement, as its votes would be needed either as part of the coalition or on the cross benches.
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