Minor parties keep calm and carry on in tepid kingmakers debate
Minor political parties in New Zealand participated in a debate that remained civil despite the absence of the major party leaders. Winston Peters stood out by making specific policy commitments, while other participants focused on maintaining their current polling positions.
Why it matters
As major parties lose support, minor parties are gaining influence in New Zealand's political landscape, making their policy stances and coalition potential critical for the country's future.
Existing policy and reasonableness reigned in a debate excluding the two Chrises , and which Winston Peters seemed to think was a waste of his time.
The NZ First leader dismissed both Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins as "not in the same league" as other prime minister he had worked with.
Not long after, he was seen checking his watch on stage.
"You said 8.30," he told the moderators Andrea Vance and Jenna Lynch, and when they asked if he had somewhere else to be he responded "yes I have".
And despite saying he would not have any kneejerk reactions, Peters was the only one to make substantive policy commitments: a $120 increase in weekly Working for Families benefit payments.
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