19 Oct 2017

Labour or National - What's Wellington's pick for Winston?

12:25 pm on 19 October 2017

Politics-mad Wellington is buzzing today and the thing on people's minds is who will Winston pick?

The New Zealand First leader is expected to announce this afternoon whether he'll work with National or Labour, after almost two weeks of talks.

But there was no consensus among Wellington workers at the city's railway station this morning on which way Mr Peters will go.

Taxi driver Akbar Khan said he thought Labour would be his choice and he would be more powerful with them, than with National.

Akbar Khan

Akbar Khan Photo: RNZ / Te Aniwa Hurihanganui

"National have more to lose haven't they? But I think so, that's the reality. He likes power I reckon so he'll have to. I don't think National is going to put that much on the table"

Jessica Simpson was also confident Mr Peters would choose Labour.

"I'm thinking Labour just because of what I've heard, and everyone seems to think that Winston and Bill English have a bit of beef going on so it makes sense. But he also doesn't like Greens but ...I think Labour."

Ian and Julie

Ian (at right) is picking National. Photo: RNZ / Te Aniwa Hurihanganui

Rez has been analysing the body language as the party leaders come in and out of meetings - and he too is tipping Winston to go to the left.

"I think Labour, because when they came out of the meeting National's body language was a bit grumpy, and Labour was a bit more cheerful."

Other commuters thought National had a good chance, including Ian, who said his gut feeling was National.

"He [Winston Peters] was deputy prime minister when he was in bed with them last time wasn't he? But look how that ended up."

Janelle Schreiber

Janelle Schreiber was picking a National-NZ First combination. Photo: RNZ / Te Aniwa Hurihanganui

Another commuter, Lane, said she thought Mr Peters would put the cat among the pigeons and go for Labour - just to stir up the parties and see what happened.

Janelle Schreiber backed National as Mr Peter's preferred coalition partner, and said history was going to repeat itself.

"He's always stuck with what he wants and it doesn't really change. I think going with Labour would change everything and I don't think he's up for change."

Two Wellington College students agreed. "I just reckon it would be easier 'cos he's not having to go with two parties - Labour and Greens," said one. "I think he's just closer to [National] slightly."

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