Act leader David Seymour has blasted the secretive negotiations NZ First has held with National and Labour, saying the public has been "let down" over the coalition talks.
Seymour said on TVNZ1's Breakfast this morning that instead of confidential agreements that have been forged behind closed doors, National leader Bill English and Labour leader Jacinda Ardern should have shown "more leadership" and ensured a public deal.
"I'm ultimately interested in the policy and the way Jacinda and Bill have let themselves be dictated to by 'Mr seven per cent' and his imaginary friends, [it] means the whole country has been really let down," said Seymour.
"What they should have done, is said, 'Winston, if you want to do a deal we're going to do it in public. Put all your demands on the table so the public can see what you're demanding''.
"He's dictating to the whole country."
Seymour went on to say that "we're trying to run a country and a government, and for three weeks now there's been no discussion of policy".
"It's a betrayal by Jacinda Ardern and Bill English of their supporters and the rest of the country," Seymour said.
The National leader says Winston Peters will not be putting a 'completed agreement' to the NZ First board.
"Are we still a country that pursues free-trade deals? Do we still welcome immigrants? Are we going to have a fiscal blow out and high mortgage rates?"
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.
Our Political Editor examines what English told Breakfast today.
A support agreement would mean the main party would have to negotiate every major bill with NZ First to get it through parliament.
The board has 14 members, including Mr Peters and his deputy Ron Mark.
English said this morning he does not "yet have a proposition to put to our caucus or board".
"I wouldn't want there to be the impression there's some finalised agreement," he said.
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