September 28, 2023
Hipkins’ attack on Peters predictable
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says his insertion as a topic for last night’s leaders’ debate was a planned hit by Labour’s Chris Hipkins.
During the TV3 debate Mr Hipkins challenged National’s Chris Luxon over his willingness to work with Mr Peters in light of a statement by Rangitata candidate Rob Ballantyne that proponents of co-governance had pushed it too far and New Zealand First was the party with the cultural mandate and courage to “cut out your disease and bury it permanently”.
Mr Peters says it was a cheap shot – especially since he wasn’t on stage to respond.
“It was no context, no framework, just the allegation, and I was speaking to reporter Jo Moir earlier this week, I said ‘you stand back and watch Chris Hipkins throw the dirt at Winston Peters this week,’ and sure enough in 48 hours that was what he was doing,” he says.
Mr Peters says when people get desperate they resort to desperate strategies.