New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters used his State of the Nation address in Tauranga to announce a new campaign policy and deliver strong political attacks against opposition parties ahead of the 2026 general election.
The party’s key campaign policy announced on the day was a pledge to overhaul the energy sector. “New Zealand First today is announcing a campaign policy. We will be breaking up the power companies so they can no longer control both the power and the price,” Peters declared. He criticized the current system, stating, “Under the current system, the most expensive generator sets the price for all electricity – even electricity that costs peanuts to generate. It’s absurd”.
Palestinian flags
Peters reserved his strongest criticism for the Labour Party, focusing on their decision regarding the Marsden Point refinery. He said, “The Labour Party continue to deny that they could’ve saved Marsden Point. This Cabinet Paper shows that not only did they know the risks to national fuel security, they chose to let Marsden Point shut – and they have left this current situation that we are now experiencing with shortages of fuel supply and skyrocketing prices. They are ignorant economic vandals”.
He also attacked Labour Leader Chris Hipkins’ election strategy. Peters noted that Hipkins had said he would not announce policy until July, saying, “In an election year, at the first meeting, in front of the media, he just said that the Labour Party was out of ideas. That they are rudderless”. Additionally, he challenged the Green Party, suggesting, “They should change their name to the ‘Party of Palestine and Pronouns’”.
Peters concluded with a vision for the country and his party’s campaign goal. “It was once the greatest country of it and it can be again and it’s worth fighting for and it’s not nostalgia,” he said, adding that New Zealand First is “on a mission to fight for the ordinary hardworking Kiwis”.
Church Without Walls backs Alfred Ngaro’s move to New Zealand First
Kariana Black, Pou Ārahi of Church Without Walls (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Patuheuheu), voiced her support for former National MP Alfred Ngaro’s decision to stand for NZ First in the general election.
“I’m here to support Alfred Ngaro because we were part of the New Zeal party and now he’s come to join New Zealand First, so we just want to get behind him and see what Winston Peters stands for,” says Black.
Black acknowledged the current political contention surrounding the NZ First leader’s views. “It’s a very contentious issue at the moment because Winston has been so vocal about where he stands regarding Māori issues,” she said. She suggested that Ngaro could provide a stabilising element, adding, “I think Alfred brings some kind of balance and is quite wise and brings a positive approach and hopefully have a positive influence.”
Associate Energy Minister Shane Jones celebrates the expansion of Mercury’s Ngā Tamariki Geothermal Power plant recently with the company, its workers and manawhenua.