Rt. Hon. Winston Peters Represents Strong Stable Government: But not with National.
PRESS RELEASE BY "NEW ZEALAND YOUTH FOR A ROBUST FUTURE"
The past 24 hours has been a blur or a nightmare - depending on which colour glasses you had on. One fact is true:
Winston Peters is Kingmaker of this election. He is wearing a crown of thorns and has many questions to consider. There
is no stability for young people in an economy and society run by the hypersensitive, unpredictable National party.
MMP, championed by the famous Jeanette Fitzsimmons and Rod Donald of the Green Party, means that unless one party gets
over 61 seats in parliament coalitions must be formed. After an unexpectedly dramatic election, the National party is
insecure and vulnerable and must appeal to New Zealand First in order to secure a fourth term.
Winston Peters, born in 1945, is the leader of the populist party New Zealand First. As Kingmaker, he faces many tough
moral choices this election. Will he continue to ignore the child poverty and homelessness epidemics in Aotearoa? Will
he maintain that students deserve unmanageable levels of debt as punishment for seeking an education? Does he believe
farmers have a responsibility not to pollute?
No one person can comment on Peters’ moral and ethical integrity, however one vested group is of intrigue: students.
Over 200,000 students would benefit from Winston Peters supporting the formation of a Government which prioritised
wellbeing, living locally post degree in order to pay off loans and decreased immigration. These goals are compatible
with Labour and Greens policy and serve to benefit New Zealand society as a whole.
Tertiary education students increasingly vote against the National party and the values they represent. New Zealand
tertiary institution fees have increased 40% since the National Party took office in 2008, relegating the realm of
tertiary education to lucky members of society and ignoring the very real problems of New Zealand’s poor. New Zealand
First represent common sense, and here the key word is ‘common’.
New Zealand First, unlike National, is known for genuinely engaging with New Zealand’s vulnerable populations. Peters’
has repeatedly travelled to low decile areas to discuss local issues such as being ripped off with poor quality housing
and is respected among elderly populations for enabling them access to public transport and therefore their communities.
There is an element of taxation without representation in New Zealand youth, which Winston acknowledges. He firmly
demonstrates how much he values ordinary New Zealanders throughout his policy, particularly in, “Taking Health Forward”
where he focuses on funding and providing world leading maternity-care services (especially in the regions).
Peters has the chance to set these problems right and be honoured as a true leader in the eyes of history. QUOTES:
“Peter’s knows this Government is failing. He is 72. Does he want his legacy to be propping up three more years of a
failing Govt? Or does he want his legacy to be in supporting the generational change that he knows must occur?”
- Jeremy, 25, PhD student at Otago University in Dunedin.
"If my children came home excited to vote for a politician, I would consider whether there is value in voting for them.
It is naive of parents to assume we know all when we do not live in the context that our children are experiencing. We
borrow this life from future generations after all - and people like Winston understand it is our duty to pass goodness
on." - Peter, 56, Mechanic based in Invercargill.
"I feel betrayed by New Zealanders who voted for continued flawed neoliberal economics over the wellbeing of our
society. It is entirely possible to have a strong economy and strong socially responsible state. Caring for each other
should not terrify us and I believe Peter's is the connection between Labour and Greens that will enrich Aotearoa" -
Emily, 28, Statistician based in Wellington.