Ministerial portfolios rumoured as the sticking point in Winston's decision

October 19, 2017

The NZ First leader is due to make an announcement on which way his party will go this afternoon.

As Winston Peters' latest deadline for deciding which party will lead government approaches there's reports his demands for ministerial positions are causing problems for at least one party.

It's believed the NZ First leader has made a demand for five ministerial portfolios, four of them inside cabinet, and that is a sticking point for National.

According to NBR Mr Peters, Ron Mark, Tracey Martin and Shane Jones would be in line for the cabinet roles, but National's junior ministers and senior backbenchers who would miss out on promotions are opposed.

It's claimed Mr Peters has made the same request of Labour, whose offices he has been spotted sneaking around on Thursday afternoon.

It's anticipated his decision will be announced around 6pm.

Earlier in the afternoon he said he was still deciding.

"We are not very far away from finality and we are just going to have a bit to eat and then come back and put it all on the table and make a decision," he said just after 1pm.

Mr Peters had also still not decided whether to inform National's Bill English or Labour's Jacinda Ardern of his decision before it's officially announced.

"I've got to tell my colleagues and ... other matters are extraneous. They'll sort themselves out once we've made a decision," he said.

Mr English has briefed his caucus on the agreement reached with NZ First to form a government.

The caretaker prime minister went into the caucus meeting at 11am not knowing what Winston Peters has decided or precisely when the NZ First leader will make his announcement.

"We've had a period of intensive negotiations and I'm satisfied the agreement we've reached with New Zealand First would be able to form the basis of a strong and cohesive government," Mr English told reporters.

He looked cheerful and confident but wouldn't say how he felt or give any details of the agreement.

"Mr Peters has indicated he's going to announce his position later in the day - like everyone else, we look forward to hearing what it is," Mr English said.

Labour leader Jacinda Ardern is in the same position.

She's talking to her caucus by teleconference but hasn't spoken to the media.

The Green Party is expected to hold a conference call on Thursday night with delegates, three quarters of which must back any deal involving the party for it to go ahead.

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