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Top spin, backspin, political turn: Winston Peters revealed it all when his election campaign came to Dunedin.
The New Zealand First leader made the University of Otago students wait long enough for members of his youth wing to play. You are the voice by John Farnham, the campaign song, three times.
He apologized for the venue, in front of the historic clock tower, as Covid-19 restrictions meant that social distancing rules applied, and questioned why the South Island was still at alert level two.
He attacked Labor’s advertisement for a vacation to Matariki, saying that what was required was hard work, sacrifice and a collective effort.
“Now is not the time, when we are in the midst of huge financial challenges, to start thinking about a vacation.”
Peters said that what the country needed was work, rather than free time.
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Peters, in a question from a student about immigration levels, said the numbers, excluding returning New Zealanders, were the lowest since 1959, “No buts, no buts, no maybes.”
“You could say we kept the promise.” He later claimed those numbers were being tracked before the borders were closed.
As Peters walked around campus, he played an impromptu game of table tennis against a female student, demonstrating the ability to spin the ball on serves.
Stopping by for a quick interview with student radio station Radio One, he recorded a promo and answered some student-focused questions.
Hamish McNeilly / Stuff
New Zealand’s first leader, Winston Peters, arrives at the University of Otago campus in Dunedin.
That included his thoughts on the University of Otago School of Medicine admissions scheme, which has come under fire for being unfair.
The University of Otago offers a Maori gateway to medicine, which works by giving preference to Maori students. The goal is to create a healthcare workforce that better reflects New Zealand society.
Peters did not endorse a limit, labeling it “symbolic.”
“ I didn’t have any special cap circumstances, I was just a country boy who went to law school. ”
Hamish McNeilly / Stuff
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters in Dunedin.
Later in the Octagon, when he was interrupted by a passerby for selling out to Chinese interests, Peters replied “at the wrong party, buddy.”
Peters said he would announce a new policy on a visit to Southland on Tuesday.
He was less concerned about the future of New Zealand First than that of some media outlets, including RNZ and TVNZ.
Hamish McNeilly / Stuff
New Zealand leader Winston Peters walks to his campaign bus.
