Photo: RNZ
"In the end, the voters of this country will decide this issue. Not politicians and certainly not the media" - Winston Peters
What a week for Winston.
In not one, but two TV polls, New Zealand First featured above that critical 5 percent threshold - and furthermore in that most pivotal of spots - necessary for National to form a government.
On Monday, Christopher Luxon acknowledged the state of play - explicitly ruling in New Zealand First as a potential partner - after weeks of implicitly doing so. A double-edged message from the National leader - a reluctant yes to New Zealand First - but an effective plea to voters - I'll make that call if I have to, but please don't make me.
But this sort of profile and attention is exactly what Peters wants - a platform with which to break back into Parliament. Yet another resurrection.
It's also what Labour wants - and needs right now - as it continues to slide in popularity - wallowing in the mid-20s on current polling - with no road to power.
Chris Hipkins knows he needs a circuit-breaker - and he seized on National's announcement as a potential one - throwing that Coalition of Chaos line back at his opponents. He brought a new fervour to Newshub's head-to-head leaders' debate on Wednesday - their second match-up - and a far more fiery one than the first.
As for Peters, he says desperation is driving Labour to dirty tactics.
And don't forget - next week marks the start of early voting in New Zealand - the runway fast running out for all political parties.
In Focus on Politics this week, RNZ deputy political editor Craig McCulloch breaks down the latest week of the election campaign, a week where Winston Peters came to the fore.
Listen free to Focus on Politics on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, on iHeart Radio or wherever you get your podcasts.
