Winston Peters signals foreign ownership and change are big policy planks as third day of negotiations kick off

October 10, 2017

Our Political Editor analyses a critical day on the road to forming a government.

Negotiations to form a government resume this morning after Winston Peters yesterday signalled that he has put foreign ownership and economic and social change on the table in talks with National and Labour.

The New Zealand First leader and his negotiating team yesterday held two meetings with National's team, led by leader Bill English, and one with Labour's team headed by Jacinda Ardern.

Labour also had a meeting with the Greens yesterday.

Labour will be first up this morning for the next meeting with NZ First at 9.30am, after which the NZ First caucus will meet.

The issue of foreign ownership has emerged as a top priority in talks.

Mr Peters says further talks will be held with National at midday, another meeting will probably be held with Labour later in the day and maybe another with National.

1 NEWS Political Editor Corin Dann says while Mr Peters has remained tight-lipped on the specifics of the talks, he signalled yesterday that foreign ownership is an issue that will be on the table at least. 

"Whether there are any major gains there, well who knows," Dann said.

He pointed out that New Zealand First has always advocated tighter restrictions on foreigners buying Kiwi farms, houses and businesses.

When it comes to policy on restricting foreign ownership, Labour is closer to NZ First than National is, as it also advocates a ban on foreign home buyers, Dann said.

Mr Peters also reiterated that he wants to see economic and social change in New Zealand and he referenced the market reforms of 1984. 

"So that's a clear signal that he wants some big changes, probably to things like the Reserve Bank Act," Dann said. 

"And whether or not Labour or National would be prepared to give ground on what are big fundamental policies is a big if. And we'll have to see how much sway he can put on them over that," our political editor said.

Mr Peters has set Thursday as a deadline for having a decision on the governing arrangement.

After the final vote count announced on Saturday, a Labour-Greens-NZ First coalition would have 63 seats in the 120-member Parliament, and a National-NZ First grouping would have 65.

SHARE ME

More Stories