Video: 'I've got no idea why this question is being asked of me' - Peters appears bemused by questions about the Greens

October 10, 2017

The NZ First leader says he made it 'very clear we were to speak to the National Party and the Labour Party'.

Winston Peters says he's not aware of an approach from the Greens for a meeting, as New Zealand First continues coalition talks with National and Labour.

Green Party leader James Shaw says party staff made contact with NZ First "to say if they wanted to, we're available" for discussions.

One coalition scenario is a grouping of Labour, the Greens and NZ First, but Mr Shaw said he anticipated Labour would take the lead on negotiations, and that's what they're doing.

Political Reporter Andrea Vance sums up the latest in the bids to form a government.

"At some point I assume that you've got to get in a room together with the people that you're going to go into coalition with," Mr Shaw told reporters this afternoon.

"But it is actually Labour's kind of responsibility to put the government together. That's their job and they seem to be doing a pretty good job of it."

Mr Peters said he's not aware that the Greens have been in touch for a meeting.

Asked does he want to meet with Green Party, he said: "I have no knowledge of that being requested of me at all at this point of time.

"And I made it very clear at the start, and everybody's very aware, that we were to speak to the National Party and the Labour Party, not necessarily in that order. But each day we've been doing that."

Asked does he think it would be worthwhile to sit down with the Greens before things progressed to an arrangement, Mr Peters said: "I've got no idea why this question is being asked of me given I told you all we would be negotiating in good faith with both the National and the Labour parties."

The Green Party leader says he 'anticipated Labour would take the lead on negotiations'.

Mr Peters, asked for his response to Mr Shaw's statement that Green Party staff had approached NZ First's team, said: "We don't have people going round the back door to my team, whether it be journalists or whether it be Members of Parliament."

Pressed further on why he hasn't been open to a meeting with the Greens, he said: "Because we didn't campaign with any other party. The rest did."

As for when the nation find out which party NZ First will back, Mr Peters says you'll get an idea if you join his party.

Though his party will be in 'a position to make a decision on Thursday', that doesn't mean voters will find out then.

Though his party will be in "a position to make a decision on Thursday", that doesn't mean voters will find out then.

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