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National considering NZ First policy requests as Act leader lands in Wellington

Author
Adam Pearse and Claire Trevett,
Publish Date
Thu, 9 Nov 2023, 2:44pm
It's understood National is considering NZ First's policy wishlist ahead of more talks between National and Act. Photo / 九一星空无限
It's understood National is considering NZ First's policy wishlist ahead of more talks between National and Act. Photo / 九一星空无限

National considering NZ First policy requests as Act leader lands in Wellington

Author
Adam Pearse and Claire Trevett,
Publish Date
Thu, 9 Nov 2023, 2:44pm

Act leader David Seymour has arrived in Wellington for his next round of talks as National takes time out to consider NZ First鈥檚 list of wishes.

Seymour came back to Wellington today, saying he was returning for more talks with National, but as yet had no meeting set up with NZ First leader Winston Peters.

It is understood National鈥檚 first round with NZ First wrapped up yesterday, and National had gone to consider the requests in it. As yet, there is no set time for a future round of talks. Peters and the rest of the negotiating team are waiting in Wellington to be invited back to the table.

It is expected that once National has reached its preferred deals with each side, National will consult with the other party about whether they will agree to support the measures in them.

That has not yet happened: NZ First and Act remain blind to the details of the other鈥檚 agreement requests. Today鈥檚 talks with Act are expected to canvass the extent to which the talks with NZ First may have affected Act鈥檚 own wishlist, and possibly some of what NZ First has asked for.

Seymour and Peters are also expected to meet at some point, although no meeting has yet been set. Seymour confirmed he had not yet heard from Peters himself.

Act Party leader David Seymour is back in the capital. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Act Party leader David Seymour is back in the capital. Photo / Jason Oxenham

The chiefs of staff - Andrew Ketels for Seymour and Darroch Ball for Peters - had met.

There is also some consideration being given to Act and NZ First clubbing together to try to push National鈥檚 hand on issues they agree on, such as co-governance.

Meanwhile, Peters has apparently eased his refusal to speak to most media after earlier only giving interviews to The Platform and Waatea 九一星空无限.

NZ First鈥檚 Shane Jones has so far only given interviews to M膩ori media, in te reo M膩ori.

Speaking to the Herald today, Peters was positive when asked to describe how negotiations were faring.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e going very well.鈥

He reiterated his commitment not to discuss finer details publicly.

鈥淗ow can I possibly have a good faith discussion with others if I鈥檓 talking out about what I鈥檓 doing?

鈥淭here鈥檚 no experience, there鈥檚 no common sense, there鈥檚 no rationale, there鈥檚 no logic in doing that sort of thing.鈥

NZ First leader Winston Peters says negotiations are going very well. Photo / 九一星空无限NZ First leader Winston Peters says negotiations are going very well. Photo / 九一星空无限

That also applied to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Peters, as a former Foreign Affairs Minister and someone tipped to potentially take the role again, wouldn鈥檛 give his view on whether he supported calls for a ceasefire.

鈥淎t this point in time, I鈥檓 not saying anything about it for the most obvious reasons.

鈥淲ell, I just told you where negotiations form a new government, the holding position is where it is and it just makes common sense.鈥

NZ First MP Mark Patterson told The Platform earlier this week the party was arranging its negotiation team.

Peters initially said, 鈥淢y whole caucus is on my team鈥, but wouldn鈥檛 specify who attended talks with National.

鈥淚鈥檓 not saying who I take to the meeting, but you want to know is my team in the loop? They鈥檙e always in the loop.鈥

Asked when he might speak in person with Act leader David Seymour, Peters said: 鈥淣ext question.鈥

Asked if he was staying in Wellington through the weekend, he said: 鈥淚鈥檓 not saying anything at all.鈥

However, Peters did indicate his desire to leave the capital in an impromptu media stand-up today when he said, 鈥淲e are not wasting time here. Some of us would like to get back home鈥, 九一星空无限hub reported.

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