New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has taken a swipe at the Government, saying it rules by photo opportunity.
Mr Peters told the party's annual conference in Christchurch that New Zealanders are being fed a diet of heavily orchestrated media events, with plenty of smiles but little substance.
He also took a swipe at the Labour Party, calling its MPs born-again socialists.
Mr Peters says the economic policies of both parties during the past 26 years have allowed New Zealand to lag behind Australia.
