Full Breakdown
Winston Peters Defends Legal Immigrants and Policy Priorities at Invercargill Public Meeting
By Drooid · · How we work
Event Overview
At a packed hall in Southland Boys’ High School, NZ First leader Winston Peters addressed a crowd of roughly 300 supporters. The meeting turned contentious when a white attendee asked why Peters had waited 65 years for his pension while “Indian and Chinese ‘a**holes’” allegedly received it after three years. Peters responded that the residency stand-down period for pension eligibility was being increased from 10 to 20 years and that his party’s policy applies only to New Zealand citizens who obey the law.
Policy Positions Highlighted
Peters used the forum to promote several flagship issues: retaining the SuperGold card, keeping the superannuation age at 65, launching a further Covid-19 inquiry into injuries among under-18s, and opposing any separate Maori and non-Maori system, which he called “a road to apartheid.” He called for a minimum-wage lift, suggested buying back the Bank of New Zealand to address banking concerns, and pledged to double the economy by 2050. When asked about bottom-trawling, he reiterated NZ First’s “no ifs, buts or maybes” stance, noting the practice supports about 9,000 jobs and 70 % of commercial fish supply.
Official Responses and Interaction
During the Q&A, a Pacific-region worker expressed anxiety over a visa extension; Peters said the issue was “complicated” because it required National and ACT support. A British-born GP, a long-time Southland resident but non-citizen, questioned his right to a pension and vote; Peters told her to sit down before answering and urged her to “sign up to my country.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “She ran an ice cream shop for five weeks that went bust. How can you go bust selling ice cream?” — Winston Peters
- “The last thing I want is your vote,” — Winston Peters
These remarks illustrate Peters’ blend of populist rhetoric and policy-focused pledges as he seeks to maintain NZ First’s poll standing, which earlier reports placed at a high of 15 % in April and later between 10 % and 12 %.