Can New Zealand First Come Third – at Labour's Expense?

“Let’s give power back to the people” was Winston's new populist slogan as he sets his sights on voters who feel alienated from Labour and alarmed by Labour's potential coalition partners.

Winston Peters’ recent set-piece speech made a pitch to blue-collar workers who feel abandoned by Labour. By bringing Alfred Ngaro – a conservative former National MP – onto his team, Peters has his eye on Pacific communities in South and West Auckland.

Winston’s speech was framed by political history – and, as he approaches the age of 81, with more than 50 years’ experience in politics, he’s qualified to lecture on the subject.

He went over some history of the neoliberal reforms in New Zealand under past Labour and National governments. His anti-neoliberal narrative could have come from someone on the Left, like George Monbiot writing for The Guardian. What was Winston up to?