The long wait is not only for a decision: Winston Peters in awkward delay for a taxi at Wellington Airport

October 16, 2017

If the NZ First leader wanted a quick getaway from reporters, he wasn't getting it this morning.

Winston Peters was grilled by reporters this morning as he tried to make a quick getaway at Wellington Airport, however the NZ First leader met a speed bump after his taxi was delayed.

The painful exchange saw Peters batting away questions by reporters about the timing of an announcement about whether NZ First would support National or Labour.

National leader Bill English's take on negotiations isn't something Shane Jones is apparently aware of.

"I've answered all the questions I'm going to answer for you," he said. 

As he waited at the taxi stand area for his ride to parliament, reporters asked him specifics on the timing of coalition deals, to which he did not answer. 

Instead, he disputed claims Bill English made today that a coalition deal would take some time. 

However, he did have time for a quick joke when a journalist asked if he was annoyed with the time his taxi was taking: "Unlike you, I'm a very tolerant, long-suffering man," Peters answered. 

The 1 NEWS political editor says no-one holds it against Mr Peters for extending his self-imposed deadline

He told reporters to get out of the way of an incoming taxi, before jumping into the vehicle.

Peters' NZ First party will this morning start a meeting in Wellington that will decide whether National or Labour leads the next government.

The caucus has been working on option papers to be put to the meeting of the party's board.

The meeting will be presented with details of the deals that were offered by National and Labour NZ First that allow the party's policies to be implemented by the next government.

The meeting will also have to decide which form of government is the best for NZ First - a full coalition or a support agreement which allows it to vote against legislation it disagrees with.

The National leader says Winston Peters will not be putting a 'completed agreement' to the NZ First board.

However, a completed agreement will not be presented to the highly anticipated NZ First board meeting today, nor has a proposition been completed to take to the National Party, says Bill English.

'There's still a number of issues' - Bill English says there's more work to do over possible coalition deal on TVNZ1's Breakfast this morning.  

The National leader says Winston Peters will not be putting a completed agreement' to the NZ First board.

"I wouldn't want there to be the impression there's some finalised agreement," the National Party leader said.

"While we've discussed a lot of policy, there are still issues around the type of governing arrangement, ministerial positions, that have yet to be discussed."

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