‘We said no’: Advance NZ wanted to join NZ First, says Winston Peters

Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says NZ First rejected a proposal from Advance New Zealand to join forces.

“Advance New Zealand wanted to join New Zealand First but we said no,” Peters said.

He was speaking in Tauranga’s Red Square and responding to a woman holding a poster with images of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and communist symbols.

When asked why the party refused, Peters said the reasons would be “obvious to any sensible, sane and rational person.”

“Advance New Zealand came and tried to join in,” Peters said. “We said no.”

He said it happened “before they got going, they had this group before.”

But he did not want to reveal who from Advance NZ approached New Zealand First.

“I won’t tell you that. I said I’d keep it a secret.”

Advance NZ is co-chaired by former National MP Jami-Lee Ross and former New Zealand Public Party Leader Billy Te Kahika. Advance NZ merged with NZ Public Party in July.