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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2017/oct/19/new-zealand-election-winston-peters-prime-minister-bill-english-jacinda-ardern-live
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| New Zealand election: Winston Peters to announce next prime minister – live | New Zealand election: Winston Peters to announce next prime minister – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.13am BST | |
| 04:13 | |
| How NZ First could work with National | |
| If Peters chooses National, he’ll be returning to power the party that has governed for nine years. Eleanor Ainge Roy assesses their chances: | |
| Bill English and Winston Peters have worked alongside each other for decades and are said to have a healthy degree of mutual respect. | |
| It has not all been all smooth-sailing. English has described Peters as a “maverick” and frequently joked about his many bottom lines. However, he has said he believes the two parties could form a strong government and have a mutual interest in continuing to grow the economy – the backbone of National’s campaign, and a longstanding interest of Peters, who has harboured ambitions to be finance minister. | |
| English told Radio New Zealand after the election: | |
| People want to continue with the economic direction and they voted for progress. We have yet to secure a mandate to govern … but I think there is a clear indication from voters of continuing the direction National campaigned on. | |
| So what are the elements working in favour of an NZ First/National coalition? | |
| Peters has a long-standing distaste for the Green party and would find it difficult to work with them in a Labour coalition. | |
| English as prime minister is a known quantity and because of his subdued leadership style Peters as potential deputy prime minister would remain the star and showman in government. | |
| A coalition with National would have a greater majority than a Labour-led one and potentially would be more stable as a two- rather than three-party grouping. | |
| And after all, National won the most votes in the election, which may convince Peters to back the party with the biggest numbers. | |
| Areas of potential agreement | |
| Banning foreign buyers or operating a foreign buyers register. | |
| Scrapping the Māori seats. | |
| Reducing or lowering record-high levels of immigration. | |
| Not raising the retirement age from 65. | |
| 3.44am BST | |
| 03:44 | |
| As well as hammering out policy agreements and disagreements, a key factor in building a coalition will be personal: who will Winston Peters and co want to work with? | |
| Before the most recent election campaign, Peters and Bill English were thought to have had a generally good relationship and a mutual respect. But that soured earlier this year, when Peters called on English to resign as prime minister after Todd Barclay, a government MP, resigned amid claims he made illegal tape recordings of a former staff member. | |
| The NZ First leader said at the time: | |
| I don’t believe English is a straight shooter. | |
| But prior to the coalition negotiations, Peters said he and Jacinda Ardern had never had a one-on-one conversation. | |
| Updated | |
| at 3.46am BST | |
| 3.30am BST | 3.30am BST |
| 03:30 | 03:30 |
| Marama Fox, co-leader of the Māori party who – along with the rest of her party – lost her seat in parliament in the election, has run a snap poll on Twitter to gauge which way followers think Peters will go, and it’s as good a guess as any at this point: | Marama Fox, co-leader of the Māori party who – along with the rest of her party – lost her seat in parliament in the election, has run a snap poll on Twitter to gauge which way followers think Peters will go, and it’s as good a guess as any at this point: |
| .Which way will Winnie crumble? | .Which way will Winnie crumble? |
| 3.20am BST | 3.20am BST |
| 03:20 | 03:20 |
| Jacinda Ardern’s partner, Clarke Gayford, is on the scene, from which we can divine precisely nothing: | Jacinda Ardern’s partner, Clarke Gayford, is on the scene, from which we can divine precisely nothing: |
| Just spotted Clarke Gayford on his way into the Labour office with gingernuts and possibly a bag of candy | Just spotted Clarke Gayford on his way into the Labour office with gingernuts and possibly a bag of candy |
| 3.12am BST | 3.12am BST |
| 03:12 | 03:12 |
| There have been surprisingly few leaks from the coalition negotiations and very little has been given away by party members about the detail of the talks. | There have been surprisingly few leaks from the coalition negotiations and very little has been given away by party members about the detail of the talks. |
| In an official statement on Tuesday, Peters said: | In an official statement on Tuesday, Peters said: |
| We are 98% there on policy issues. | We are 98% there on policy issues. |
| Labour’s deputy leader, Kelvin Davis, had previously said, not very revealingly, that negotiations had been “very nice”. | Labour’s deputy leader, Kelvin Davis, had previously said, not very revealingly, that negotiations had been “very nice”. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.15am BST | at 3.15am BST |
| 2.46am BST | 2.46am BST |
| 02:46 | 02:46 |
| Eleanor Ainge Roy, our correspondent in New Zealand, is one of those wondering when Peters will show his hand: | Eleanor Ainge Roy, our correspondent in New Zealand, is one of those wondering when Peters will show his hand: |
| Last night Winston Peters released a statement saying he would make an announcement this afternoon on which party he had decided to align himself with. | Last night Winston Peters released a statement saying he would make an announcement this afternoon on which party he had decided to align himself with. |
| But as noon has come and gone, New Zealanders are growing increasingly anxious that a decision may be hours, if not days away. Peters has had a 40-minute break to clear his head, and he said the meal had helped him with the decision. | But as noon has come and gone, New Zealanders are growing increasingly anxious that a decision may be hours, if not days away. Peters has had a 40-minute break to clear his head, and he said the meal had helped him with the decision. |
| It appears negotiations between NZ First and the major parties are ongoing, with Peters saying new information was still coming in and the situation was changing by the hour. | It appears negotiations between NZ First and the major parties are ongoing, with Peters saying new information was still coming in and the situation was changing by the hour. |
| As it stands, neither of the main party leaders, nor the media nor the New Zealand public know which way Peters will swing, what time this afternoon his announcement will be, and what form it will take. | As it stands, neither of the main party leaders, nor the media nor the New Zealand public know which way Peters will swing, what time this afternoon his announcement will be, and what form it will take. |
| It is thought that the announcement will be the first that Bill English and Jacinda Ardern will hear of his decision – and they will then be called on to make an appearance. | It is thought that the announcement will be the first that Bill English and Jacinda Ardern will hear of his decision – and they will then be called on to make an appearance. |
| The lack of information regarding the timeline or format of Peters’ decision is frustrating New Zealanders, some of whom are calling the current situation “bizarre” and “ridiculous”, though there is certainly a humorous element to it as well. | The lack of information regarding the timeline or format of Peters’ decision is frustrating New Zealanders, some of whom are calling the current situation “bizarre” and “ridiculous”, though there is certainly a humorous element to it as well. |
| Daylight hours are long in New Zealand with the approach of summer, and Newshub has declared the end of the “afternoon” as sunset at 7.46pm. So we could be in for a long wait yet, though most commentators are predicting Peters will make his announcement close to or at 6pm – in time to be broadcast live on the nightly TV news. | Daylight hours are long in New Zealand with the approach of summer, and Newshub has declared the end of the “afternoon” as sunset at 7.46pm. So we could be in for a long wait yet, though most commentators are predicting Peters will make his announcement close to or at 6pm – in time to be broadcast live on the nightly TV news. |
| 2.36am BST | 2.36am BST |
| 02:36 | 02:36 |
| Clever, New Zealand Herald. Let’s hope you don’t have to run this page again tomorrow. Or the day after… | Clever, New Zealand Herald. Let’s hope you don’t have to run this page again tomorrow. Or the day after… |
| Scoop! Today's @nzherald front page has the winner pic.twitter.com/1JEitd2QBT | Scoop! Today's @nzherald front page has the winner pic.twitter.com/1JEitd2QBT |
| 2.27am BST | 2.27am BST |
| 02:27 | 02:27 |
| Eleanor Ainge Roy | Eleanor Ainge Roy |
| Over the past nine years of National government, Peters has repeatedly opined on his many “bottom lines” if he were to form a coalition government. | Over the past nine years of National government, Peters has repeatedly opined on his many “bottom lines” if he were to form a coalition government. |
| These include: | These include: |
| Plans to slash migration to 10,000 a year – a drop of more than 60,000. | Plans to slash migration to 10,000 a year – a drop of more than 60,000. |
| A ban on foreigners buying land, and establishment of a foreign ownership register. | A ban on foreigners buying land, and establishment of a foreign ownership register. |
| Moving public service jobs out of Wellington to regional areas. | Moving public service jobs out of Wellington to regional areas. |
| Holding a referendum on the anti-smacking law. | Holding a referendum on the anti-smacking law. |
| Installing New Zealand woollen carpets in all government departments, schools and agencies. | Installing New Zealand woollen carpets in all government departments, schools and agencies. |
| 2.22am BST | 2.22am BST |
| 02:22 | 02:22 |
| Peters told reporters that NZ First has been in touch with National and Labour “all the time” since negotiations began post-election. | Peters told reporters that NZ First has been in touch with National and Labour “all the time” since negotiations began post-election. |
| But he said he had not decided whether to tell English and Ardern what his party choice is before he announces it to the public. | But he said he had not decided whether to tell English and Ardern what his party choice is before he announces it to the public. |
| 2.15am BST | 2.15am BST |
| 02:15 | 02:15 |
| Peters told reporters on his way back to the meeting that he did feel he was closer to making a decision. | Peters told reporters on his way back to the meeting that he did feel he was closer to making a decision. |
| In other news, it appears he had Vietnamese pho for his breakfast-lunch. | In other news, it appears he had Vietnamese pho for his breakfast-lunch. |
| 2.01am BST | 2.01am BST |
| 02:01 | 02:01 |
| There is a rather larger than slim chance that Winston Peters is relishing all this attention, of course. Anyway, he seems to have finished his breakfast/lunch. Back to the caucus meeting. | There is a rather larger than slim chance that Winston Peters is relishing all this attention, of course. Anyway, he seems to have finished his breakfast/lunch. Back to the caucus meeting. |
| when u get lunch at the new vietnamese place and everyone wants to know how it was pic.twitter.com/3w3h9ZmoYi | when u get lunch at the new vietnamese place and everyone wants to know how it was pic.twitter.com/3w3h9ZmoYi |
| 1.52am BST | 1.52am BST |
| 01:52 | 01:52 |
| Peters: 'I don't rule things out … Things change by the hour' | Peters: 'I don't rule things out … Things change by the hour' |
| Before taking his meal break, Peters spoke to reporters outside the NZ First caucus meeting. He described it as “a very, very anxious time”: | Before taking his meal break, Peters spoke to reporters outside the NZ First caucus meeting. He described it as “a very, very anxious time”: |
| Our total focus has been on the decision … It is seriously difficult, because, you know, there are pros and cons for every part of this decision we’ve got to make. | Our total focus has been on the decision … It is seriously difficult, because, you know, there are pros and cons for every part of this decision we’ve got to make. |
| We’ve got one more chance to evaluate what it means, both ways. | We’ve got one more chance to evaluate what it means, both ways. |
| Let’s be honest, no negotiation ends up perfectly, the way you’d like it. Because if it was the way you liked it, you’d never be in the negotiation in the first place. | Let’s be honest, no negotiation ends up perfectly, the way you’d like it. Because if it was the way you liked it, you’d never be in the negotiation in the first place. |
| We’ll go back [into the meeting] and we’ve got a few hours to go, but we hope to complete it … It is a party decision and the caucus matter most. | We’ll go back [into the meeting] and we’ve got a few hours to go, but we hope to complete it … It is a party decision and the caucus matter most. |
| The reason why I don’t rule out things is that you never know what might blow in the next couple of hours – that’s the nature of politics … Things change by the hour. | The reason why I don’t rule out things is that you never know what might blow in the next couple of hours – that’s the nature of politics … Things change by the hour. |
| 1.41am BST | 1.41am BST |
| 01:41 | 01:41 |
| After the counting of special votes on 7 October saw Labour and the Greens add an extra seat each, and docked two from National, Jacinda Ardern said the momentum was now with them to secure a coalition agreement with NZ First: | After the counting of special votes on 7 October saw Labour and the Greens add an extra seat each, and docked two from National, Jacinda Ardern said the momentum was now with them to secure a coalition agreement with NZ First: |
| The final vote tally shows how this election galvanised people to enrol and vote with the highest turnout since 2005. | The final vote tally shows how this election galvanised people to enrol and vote with the highest turnout since 2005. |
| This reinforces the mandate for negotiations to form a stable, durable and progressive Labour-led government, a government I would be proud to lead. | This reinforces the mandate for negotiations to form a stable, durable and progressive Labour-led government, a government I would be proud to lead. |
| James Shaw, the co-leader of the Greens, said they would be open to a three-party deal: | James Shaw, the co-leader of the Greens, said they would be open to a three-party deal: |
| With the Green party, Labour and New Zealand First combined, there is now a strong majority for change across our parliament. | With the Green party, Labour and New Zealand First combined, there is now a strong majority for change across our parliament. |
| 1.31am BST | 1.31am BST |
| 01:31 | 01:31 |
| Perhaps not very reassuringly, English and Ardern are reported to be as much in the dark about the NZ First choice as the rest of us. | Perhaps not very reassuringly, English and Ardern are reported to be as much in the dark about the NZ First choice as the rest of us. |
| Both National and Labour held caucus meetings earlier today to present updates on talks so far with the kingmaker party. | Both National and Labour held caucus meetings earlier today to present updates on talks so far with the kingmaker party. |
| National said English had set out “the broad parameters of an agreement with New Zealand First”. English himself tweeted that he was: | National said English had set out “the broad parameters of an agreement with New Zealand First”. English himself tweeted that he was: |
| Looking forward to hearing NZ First’s decision. | Looking forward to hearing NZ First’s decision. |
| 1.22am BST | 1.22am BST |
| 01:22 | 01:22 |
| Don’t do this to us, Winston Peters. (Also it is lunchtime in Wellington.) | Don’t do this to us, Winston Peters. (Also it is lunchtime in Wellington.) |
| Winston has emerged - still hasn’t made a decision. Hopes it’ll be today but no commitments. Now off for breakfast. | Winston has emerged - still hasn’t made a decision. Hopes it’ll be today but no commitments. Now off for breakfast. |
| Our political editor @janepatterson said Mr Peters spoke briefly to media - has not made a decicion, but one was probably a few hours away. | Our political editor @janepatterson said Mr Peters spoke briefly to media - has not made a decicion, but one was probably a few hours away. |
| 1.16am BST | 1.16am BST |
| 01:16 | 01:16 |
| Here’s the statement Winston Peters released yesterday promising an announcement today on … whatever he’s decided: | Here’s the statement Winston Peters released yesterday promising an announcement today on … whatever he’s decided: |
| We will be in a position tomorrow afternoon to make an announcement on the result of negotiations following the 2017 general election. | We will be in a position tomorrow afternoon to make an announcement on the result of negotiations following the 2017 general election. |
| I have spoken to the leaders of the National party and the Labour party today and, amongst other matters, advised them of this. | I have spoken to the leaders of the National party and the Labour party today and, amongst other matters, advised them of this. |
| While it’s understood that English and Ardern were informed of the upcoming announcement, apparently the two party leaders do not know what Peters’ announcement will be. | While it’s understood that English and Ardern were informed of the upcoming announcement, apparently the two party leaders do not know what Peters’ announcement will be. |
| English told reporters in Wellington this morning that he did not know which way NZ First would go: | English told reporters in Wellington this morning that he did not know which way NZ First would go: |
| Bill English is as much in the dark as us. Hasn't considered whether he'd resign should Peters choose Lab. (Credit: Kevin Stent) #decision17 pic.twitter.com/i5vn9EmKEJ | Bill English is as much in the dark as us. Hasn't considered whether he'd resign should Peters choose Lab. (Credit: Kevin Stent) #decision17 pic.twitter.com/i5vn9EmKEJ |
| 1.07am BST | 1.07am BST |
| 01:07 | 01:07 |
| It’s worth bearing in mind that coalition governments have been the norm in New Zealand for the last 20 years. | It’s worth bearing in mind that coalition governments have been the norm in New Zealand for the last 20 years. |
| Since the introduction of MMP (mixed-member proportional representation*) for the 1996 general election, neither National nor Labour has won an outright majority. | Since the introduction of MMP (mixed-member proportional representation*) for the 1996 general election, neither National nor Labour has won an outright majority. |
| Coalitions – of varying degrees of formality – are then formed. The most recent National government had the backing of three smaller parties, including the Māori party, which lost all its seats in the September election. | Coalitions – of varying degrees of formality – are then formed. The most recent National government had the backing of three smaller parties, including the Māori party, which lost all its seats in the September election. |
| In current negotiations, Green support for Labour has been pretty much a given, while New Zealand First has found itself playing kingmaker, as it has in the past. | In current negotiations, Green support for Labour has been pretty much a given, while New Zealand First has found itself playing kingmaker, as it has in the past. |
| * In a nutshell, New Zealanders are asked to cast two votes: one for a party and one for a candidate for their electorate (constituency). The results are then used to calculate the proportion of seats each party will have in the – usually – 120-seat parliament. | * In a nutshell, New Zealanders are asked to cast two votes: one for a party and one for a candidate for their electorate (constituency). The results are then used to calculate the proportion of seats each party will have in the – usually – 120-seat parliament. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.24am BST | at 1.24am BST |
| 12.57am BST | 12.57am BST |
| 00:57 | 00:57 |
| Claire Phipps | Claire Phipps |
| Twenty-six days ago, on 23 September, New Zealanders went to the polls to choose their next government. | Twenty-six days ago, on 23 September, New Zealanders went to the polls to choose their next government. |
| Today, Winston Peters, leader of New Zealand First, which holds the balance of power in a parliament in which no party secured the necessary 61-seat majority, decides who that next government will be. | Today, Winston Peters, leader of New Zealand First, which holds the balance of power in a parliament in which no party secured the necessary 61-seat majority, decides who that next government will be. |
| There are, ostensibly, two options. Peters could side with National, which has been in government since 2008, and return Bill English to the prime ministership. With 56 seats (and 44.4% of the vote), National would comfortably get across the line with the help of NZ First’s nine seats. | There are, ostensibly, two options. Peters could side with National, which has been in government since 2008, and return Bill English to the prime ministership. With 56 seats (and 44.4% of the vote), National would comfortably get across the line with the help of NZ First’s nine seats. |
| Or Peters could sign up with Labour, which has 46 seats but also a pre-arranged alliance with the Greens. Their eight seats, plus NZ First’s nine, would also get the three-party coalition a parliamentary majority. | Or Peters could sign up with Labour, which has 46 seats but also a pre-arranged alliance with the Greens. Their eight seats, plus NZ First’s nine, would also get the three-party coalition a parliamentary majority. |
| Or he could do something else entirely. Quite what is difficult to say, but Winston Peters is not a man who likes to do what is expected. Read more about him here while we all wait for him to take to the stage: | Or he could do something else entirely. Quite what is difficult to say, but Winston Peters is not a man who likes to do what is expected. Read more about him here while we all wait for him to take to the stage: |