'Extraordinarily difficult to meet time-lines' – Winston Peters refuses to give deadline for decision after Monday's board meeting

October 13, 2017

The New Zealand First leader says he will let the public know as soon as possible after Monday’s meeting to avoid leaks.

After much uncertainty, Winston Peters has finally confirmed the date he will meet with the New Zealand First board to decide the next government.

Mr Peters confirmed this afternoon he will be meeting with his board and caucus to thrash out a decision on Monday.

Mr Peters had originally set yesterday as a deadline for a decision, before pushing that date back due to the "logistics" of getting his board together for a meeting.

The NZ First leader wouldn't be drawn on a time-line as to when the public know the board's decision though, saying it is "extraordinarily difficult to meet time-lines".

However, he says the decision will be announced as soon as possible after the board has met to avoid any possible leaking of the decision coming out.

The board will be flying into Wellington on Sunday night and early Monday morning for talks scheduled to last all day if needed.

Negotiations finished yesterday, but ministerial portfolios haven't been discussed.

1 NEWS political editor Corin Dann says Mr Peters has no more face-to-face talks planned with parties, but says there are still discussions over policy details to be had.

The New Zealand First board will need to make a consensus decision on either the National or Labour deal, with Mr Peters set to have plenty of influence over the proceedings.

It's still unclear whether the final outcome of the talks will be decided on Monday, or whether the New Zealand public will have to go on waiting until later in the week.

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