New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has taken another swipe at Labour and Chris Hipkins, reigniting claims of behind-the-scenes coalition approaches as the battle for political power intensifies ahead of the November 7 general election.
In a wide-ranging interview with Radio Waatea’s Dale Husband, Peters was asked over allegations that Labour had attempted to open back-channel discussions with New Zealand First, despite both parties publicly ruling out working together after the election.
The conversation also covered the latest kingmakers debate, changes to voter enrolment deadlines and Peters’ approach to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Did Labour Try to Open Secret Coalition Talks?
The latest political controversy follows claims made by Peters that Labour leader Chris Hipkins had attempted to use intermediaries to persuade New Zealand First to reconsider its refusal to work with Labour.
Peters has alleged that approaches were made to his staff months ago, despite his longstanding position that New Zealand First would not enter another coalition with Labour.
However, Labour has rejected the allegation.
During the Radio Waatea interview, Dale Husband raised the possibility that senior Labour MP Willie Jackson might have been involved in approaching Peters, albeit unsanctioned.
The suggestion adds another dimension to the political speculation surrounding potential coalition negotiations, although there has been no independently established evidence confirming Jackson made such an approach.
The controversy comes as both major parties face an increasingly complicated electoral landscape, with smaller parties potentially determining who can form the next government.
Peters Takes Aim at Hipkins
Peters has previously accused Hipkins of attempting to reopen a political relationship that New Zealand First had already ruled out.
He has also questioned Labour’s ability to assemble a workable governing arrangement following the election.
Labour, meanwhile, has rejected Peters’ version of events and maintained that it will not enter government with New Zealand First.
The dispute highlights the increasingly personal nature of the election campaign, with coalition negotiations becoming almost as important as the contest between National and Labour.
Under New Zealand’s Mixed Member Proportional electoral system, neither major party is guaranteed to govern alone.
That means smaller parties could play a decisive role in determining the next Prime Minister and the composition of the next government.
Kingmakers Debate Gets Peters’ Approval
Peters also reflected on Wednesday night’s kingmakers debate, telling Radio Waatea he considered the latest encounter an improvement on the previous debate.
The debate brought renewed attention to the smaller political parties and their competing priorities as voters consider the possible shape of the next government.
For New Zealand First, the campaign has centred on its positions on immigration, economic development, regional investment, law and order and the role of Te Tiriti in public policy.
Peters’ assessment of the debate comes as parties compete not only for votes but also for influence over potential post-election negotiations.
With the election approaching, questions about which parties can work together are becoming increasingly important.
Voter Registration Changes Also on the Agenda
Another issue raised during the interview was the change to voter enrolment deadlines for the 2026 general election.
Peters indicated his agreement with the changes, which mean voters must enrol before voting begins rather than being able to enrol at a voting place during the voting period.
Under the election timetable, the final day to enrol is Sunday, October 25, with advance voting beginning the following day.
Election Day is Saturday, November 7.
The changes have generated debate about electoral participation and whether removing enrolment opportunities during the voting period could disadvantage people who are not already enrolled.
Those concerns are particularly relevant to younger voters, people who move frequently and communities that have historically faced barriers to electoral participation.
Supporters of the changes argue that earlier enrolment deadlines provide greater administrative certainty and help election officials manage the voting process.
The issue is especially significant for Māori voters, given the importance of participation in both the Māori and general electorates.
Te Tiriti Remains a Political Flashpoint
Peters also outlined his approach to the Treaty of Waitangi, an issue that has remained central to the political debate throughout the current parliamentary term.
New Zealand First has consistently challenged the use of Treaty principles in legislation and government policy.
The party has argued that references to Treaty principles should be removed or reconsidered, maintaining that the interpretation of those principles has extended beyond the original agreement.
That position has attracted strong criticism from Māori leaders, legal scholars and Treaty advocates who argue that Treaty principles provide an important framework for recognising Crown obligations and protecting Māori rights.
For Māori communities, the debate raises fundamental questions about tino rangatiratanga, Māori representation and the future relationship between Māori and the Crown.
The issue also highlights the different approaches political parties are taking to constitutional questions ahead of the election.
While Peters continues to argue for changes to the way Treaty obligations are reflected in legislation, opponents warn that weakening those protections could have far-reaching consequences for Māori interests.
Coalition Politics Take Centre Stage
With just over two weeks until Election Day, the political contest is increasingly focused on which parties could realistically form a government.
The emergence of Opportunity as a potential parliamentary player, alongside the Greens, ACT, Te Pāti Māori and New Zealand First, has complicated the traditional coalition calculations.
Peters’ latest comments underline the tensions between parties that may need to negotiate after the election but have already drawn firm lines about whom they will work with.
For voters, the challenge is understanding not only what each party is promising but also which combinations of parties could deliver those policies.
And for Māori voters, the outcome could have significant implications for Te Tiriti, public services, political representation and the recognition of Māori rights.
With voting beginning on Monday, the pressure is now on every political party to convince New Zealanders not only that it deserves their support, but that it can help deliver a stable government.
#RadioWaatea #WaateaNews #WinstonPeters #NZFirst #ChrisHipkins #WillieJackson #DaleHusband #LabourParty #Election2026 #NZPolitics #CoalitionPolitics #KingmakersDebate #PoliticalDebate #TeTiritiOWaitangi #TreatyOfWaitangi #MāoriPolitics #MāoriVoters #VoterRegistration #AdvanceVoting #TinoRangatiratanga #ManaMotuhake #Aotearoa #Decision2026
