…New Zealanders can make up their own minds…
Thank you to those who have emailed, written or phoned in your support to our offices over the past few weeks. Like me, it seems many of you are sick of this self-perpetuating cycle of baseless allegation and counter-allegation that too many journalists have decided constitutes “news”. Only in New Zealand could one journalist make an accusation, ask another journalist for his or her opinion on the matter and then pronounce a verdict of guilt to the country!
Some of you might have seen an interview I did on Maori Television last night. I meant every word. I trust decent New Zealanders to make up their own minds. That’s the whole point of a general election. It’s not about the opinions of journalists. It’s not about fancy billboards, or clever catchphrases or glossy brochures. Anyone with a big budget can produce that sort of stuff. What matters is that there are policies that match your needs and that you trust the people you’re voting for to do right by you.
My tip for the day – if, like me, you’re sick of lies masquerading as fact in the mainstream media, then just ignore them! Leave your TV or radio switched off, save that money you’d otherwise spend on a newspaper. The weather’s warming up and the days are getting longer, so get outside in the evenings. Enjoy some exercise. Spend time with your family. Visit friends you haven’t seen for a while. Read a good book. Do a crossword. Watch a film. Fix some machinery or do that job you’ve put off for too long. Anything that brings you pleasure.
Or, if you’re interested in politics and want to make an informed decision this election, go to your local candidates’ meetings. Read the parties’ policies on their websites. Reclaim this election period for yourselves – don’t let the reef fish and meerkats in the media dictate what you know!
As for me, you’ll find me and my fellow NZ First candidates all over the country in the coming weeks at local meetings and giving speeches to key audiences. We’ll be standing by our record of delivery to the people of New Zealand. As a Minister, and as a party, we’ve delivered on our racing policy. And the Super Gold Card is about to crank up to a new level in October with free travel on public transport. I’m personally proud of my achievements as Foreign Minister. NZ First has played a constructive role in maintaining stable government, but we’ve never been afraid to say no to those pieces of legislation we don’t agree with.
We’re looking forward to this campaign period because we enjoy talking with the people of New Zealand and we believe in them. We know that if we do right by the people, they’ll do right by us. We look forward to seeing you on the campaign trail…….
September 16th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
I too am sick of the way the media is handling this. A month or so ago as the lead story on Radio Live 6:30am news was a sound bite of a man who taught political studies, saying NZ First wouldn’t be in after the election. So one mans opinion (and that is all it is) became the lead story, when there are so many more important things going on in this world.
I’m 30 and I’ll be voting for NZ First. And for all those commentaters who put us NZ First voters down and question how we could possibly still vote for NZ First - well frankly there is no one better to vote for.
National selling off our assets and getting us in to debt - NO THANKS
Rodney and Roger - NO THANKS
3 more years of Sue Bradford - NO THANKS
The worm rider Peter Dunne - NO THANKS
And the funny thing is when I talk to people who say they are voting National this time, and I ask them what National will do for them - they can’t give me an answer.
And these are people aged 50+ who are going to need every cent of their superannuation when they retire.
NZ First is the NZ public’s superannuation insurance policy.
Good luck Winston!
September 17th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Well said Claire, you were probably at school when Winston Peters founded New Zealand First, he did it because he believes New Zealand is deserving of better than being governed by carpet baggers and double talking servants of multinational money changers. John Key is trying to lay the ground work for his escape because he can see hard times ahead, quote:”I would rather pass up a chance to be Prime Minister, than have anything to do with New Zealand First”. Well folks we know where we stand with Mr Key! I have quoted from the old testament about Rodney the scapegoat and Jesus tossing John’s ancestors out of the temple, my last one will be some home work to think on, look up how Gideon freed Israel from the Midianites with only a handfull of fighters. those of you who are not able to engage in the coming campaign please help those who can. John Key, Rodney Hide, and the media, on radio, TV,etc. as so called experts have called us all sorts of things from deluded old fudydudies to blind fools. New Zealand First can stand proud on their record of achievements, just look at what both of the major parties have left, nearly all actual progress has been with the help of New Zealand First and a lot of rubbish has been stopped in it’s tracks. Those of you who are on the minimum wage, National Super, visiting a doctor, have children under six, work in the racing industry, are Maori Wardens, Maori women, want better law and order, plus untold other advantages have New Zealand First to thank. Have you actualy had a look at the line up in National, that young and vibrant team, have you checked their record? What about ACT, what a line up! What a record! Remember how far we have come, do you realy want to go back there?
Lastly I would suggest that we all should listen to Dover Samuel’s farewell speech from Parliament, I have a feeling he won’t hold back.
September 17th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Claire - Turn off Radio Live and Newstalk ZB, they are all rednecks.
Don’t be afraid to say who you vote for.
I am a masters graduate who is voting New Zealand First. Can’t stand Key or Hide. Peter Dunne is a Joke and Helen needs to retire her time has come.
The anti smacking bill is a pack of nonsense doesn’t stop child abuse. The prositution law reform bill needs to be repealed.
Time for a change get rid of Helen, Jeanette, Peter the Nats and Vote Winston for Prime Minister Ron Mark for Minister of Justice
Good Luck Winnie
PS Apart from voting for you how can we get involved in the NZ First campaign
Winston says “Thanks - if you are near Hamilton contact Doug Woolerton MP at the NZ First office.”
September 17th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Will you consider resigning your role as Foreign Affairs Minister and if so when? Considering the odds, you’re better off just running your party, keeping your head low and getting on with the election campaign wouldn’t you think?
Winston says “We don’t run Aaron and we don’t hide.”
September 17th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Winston, I’ve been sick for a week and have had the TV and radio turned off because I need peace and quiet. Can’t see to read papers. (Viruses aren’t all bad!). You know what? The sky hasn’t fallen in and my world is a better place without those lying journalists chasing the “big Pot of money” being offered to whoever gets rid of you politically. (See Chris Trotter’s blogs).
Why isn’t Rodney Hide being investigated re that $2 million? What about the selection-fixing in Selwyn? Why are the Nats terrified of Roger Payne’s upcoming court case to quash the undemocratic Selwyn selection for the SECOND time? (Known locally as Selwyn-Gate). The “secret backroom deals and signed documents in a safe” have been admitted in Wigram-Gate. Why didn’t Bill English and Slippery John Key act on the Connell-gate Report the Party commissioned? Who has benefitted by doing nothing? Why will no Fairfax media touch a well-researched and factually-supported HUGE story? Media suppression of facts electors need to know is becoming the big scandal in our democracy. They will show National and its Leaders in a very bad light.
I’ll be voting NZ First.
Polly
September 17th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Don’t say things like that Aaron! you only make him mad, he’s going to be hard enough to hold back as it is!
September 18th, 2008 at 11:55 am
Winston,
I’ve noticed that many right-wing blogs run stories about you before they are picked up by mainstream media. My suspicion is these blogs are used as a sounding board to see if a story “has legs” before passing it to mainstream media.
Furthermore, some of the language and tone used on the right-wing blogs is despicable and would never be tolerated in mainstream media. But there is no oversight of blogs and people appear free to say very libellous things.
Care to comment?
Winston says “We take note of what people DO not what they say. We have always had our share of weirdos!
September 18th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Winston,
I accept your right not to publish my comments on your web site, but I would still like to make the following observation.
http://www.stuff.co.nz reported you as saying to reporters “I’d like you guys to be in there but they wouldn’t let me do it,” as you went in to the closed session of the Parliamentary Privileges Committee.
Now, I don’t know if that is an exact quote, but it seems likely to me that you probably said something to that effect.
This does rather reinforce my point that politicians “can’t live with the news media, and can’t live without the news media”.
If everyone had done as you suggested, and stopped watching television, listening to the radio, and buying newspapers; then it would matter if the committee session was open or closed.
Just my penny’s worth.
Regards,
Brian Andrews
September 18th, 2008 at 11:31 pm
New Zealander’s can make up their own mind - I agree. The result is, no matter how honest the mistakes in accounting for NZ First’s finances the vast majority of New Zealanders will only remember the countless opportunities to explain - with any actual proof to counter that put forward by others - which were squandered by NZ First.
Winston says “Not one cent has been misappropriated. Every cent intended for NZ First was used by NZ First. Some admin mistakes were made after a change of office holders. You have been fed a load of accusations by our political foes, gleefully reported by the media, especially the Dominion Post. No complaints have been made by any donors. All the complaints laid have been laid by Rodney Hide, the message boy for Roger Douglas and the people who want to sell New Zealand. Some National MPs are in their as well .”
September 19th, 2008 at 11:15 am
hello,
I came by for a look at the so-called(per media) SFO staffer memo mentioned by Mr. Mark on RNZ’s Morning Report this morning.
Mr Mark offered interested folks make contact for at least a looksee this typewritten item..
Advise please when this might be available. Or if not here, from where. Thank you.
Winston says “The Herald asked for an electronic copy of the letter so it could be published on their website. We supplied it but it does not seem to be there. We will put it up on Monday on this site.”
September 20th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Winston,
GOOD ON YOU!
I work in the media on a local radio station (whixh is apart of a national network) and as I have first hand experience, I can say for one that the majority of all things is ABSOLOUTE RUBBISH. We know no more than anybody else does. And the sad fact is if there’s nothing good to speak about, it gets made up. I personally am striving to provide ‘clean’ media. Why lie? It is absoloutely great to see someone standing up to the media front. And who cares if they don’t like it. I recall you saying at a speech a while ago “Go back to school and learn how to do your job”. I couldn’t agree more. Go hard Winston.
September 25th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
And I think if we have a really innovative centrist “Third Way” leadership policy programme towards “Ownership Democracy”, there would be a real challenge to the status quo, and we could look forward towards a constructively energised aggressive - not defensive - election campaign with confidence.
September 25th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
As a recent migrant to New Zealand from Scotland ( 5 years ago), I have been keeping a close eye on the politics in this country and I am amazed at how much time, effort and money is spend on mud-slinging.
I think New Zealand needs a strong leader, someone with character and experience, Winston Peters in the only politican I have seen that has this in equal measure.
I look forward to November 8th, I hope the NZ public wil vote NZ First to show the media and other certain MP’s that we care about substance. Not so-called “Scandals”
http://muzzerino.blogspot.com
September 26th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Dear Winston,
For a long time now I have watched your career and party and I regardless of any policy sinergy or lack of I might have with you guys, it cannot be denied that you are all sincere, and definately entertaining. I do not wish the detract from the aspect of sincerity at all … but what I have been thinking about is the concept of entertainment - at a political level and what that really means in my context. Government has a 4th estate - the media - and the media has a overwhelming agenda - which is a political agenda (in that all acts of power from the elite are political in nature). That political agenda is to cowl the population into giving them undivided attention. the motive of this is not the topic of discusison here… but the effect of whatever motivating forces involved is to direct consumers attentions in such a way as to pay for the service of being captivated. As such they are a completely political and capitalistic (although individual media evangelists may make closet attempts at socialism agendas - they are ultimately hypocrites to some degree). What is not realised then is that if one sees them as political, and not aligned, then there is confrontation. the Dialectic of the debating floor applies - except the media always has the control of the audience, the time, place, duration and they always get the last say (again and again and again). Winston Peters … you bring the aggressive position, accurate argument, dogged determinsim and tried and tested expertise in rhetoric that the amateur hacks with no actual experience in the parliamentary debating chamber have. So what happens is they lose control - and thats not a good feeling for a group of people with so much control and so much at stake.
And I think here is the crux of the matter…you have been New Zealands best opportunity of having a Maori Primeminister in modern times. Unfortunately it does not look like it will ever happen now but you still have the capability of such. These white guys (predominantly) unfortunately dont take well to aggressive debate because they do not have the tools to be successful … so you peeve them off because of this … but really…truly… deeply … when push comes to shove … what is really sitting in most of their minds… in the background… in that cold old cupboard they want to forget about and deny … is that little extra loathing they have because you are a ‘cheeky darky’. Your cleverer than they are, better in just about every way - and they cant handle the fact that you are also of maori decent. thats the thing that puts them over the edge … they wont call themselves racists , they wont imagine they are… but pscycholically they are deep down just afraid that your gonna make their women turn their heads. these guys are closet racist pigs … with no real skill at anything practical except staring at themselves in the mirror of the publics eyes.
September 29th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I just want to wish Winston and NZ First all the best.I have always voted NZF and always will.More so after the political circus thats been going on with certain ‘people’ obviously working hard to get Winston out of parliament! We have polititions like the ‘tooth fairy’ ranting and raving…Key spouting anti Peters nonsense plus others equally obnoxious! Not forgetting many press writers who show their biased views every day!I live in Auckland and due to my job get to meet many people.Many of which think Winston has been treated badly!One even suggested in the next celebrity boxing to get Winston fighting Rodney ratbag!I think it would be more a match of ‘hide and seek’….with WP winning by lack of an opponent!
Anyone else see Winston on Fair Go last week….interviewing Rob Muldoon?
People should remember this…when you point a finger at someone….there are 3 pointing right back at yourself! Take a look…see? Those who point at WP take note!!
I might be able to get along to the election launch on Oct 5th…. and no..im not a member of the ‘blue rinse brigade either’!! Im just like Winston… a island of reality surrounded by a ocean of bullshit’!
Sorry…couldnt resist that one!
Good luck,
Glenn Moir.
October 13th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I am voteing for nz first for sure come this election so how about puting a list of the candidates and the area they are standing in on this web page.
If 83% of the people did not want this anti smacking bill it should never have gone ahead The labour party voted for it for political rasons only and not in the best intrests of the people.It is un accetable that we the people have to put up with this nonsence because certain individuals can not comprhend the differance between diciplin and abuse.How do these sort of people get into parliament the mind boggles.the labour party will lose this election because they brought polotics over the door step of our homes by voting for this legeslation that is a no no in my book.Always remember in a democracy the majority rules and the minority have to live with the result(UNTIL THE NEXT ELECTION).so from that point of view labour your sacked because you did not listen to your employer,we the people of nz.
Winston says: our party list will be released in the next day or two.