Mr Peters had been planning to spend the rest of his campaign in Tauranga, where he has been fighting to regain the seat he lost in 2005 to Bob Clarkson.
Radio New Zealand's political reporter in Tauranga said no clear reason was given for the sudden decision to head to Wellington to join his MP, Ron Mark, who is campaigning for the Rimutaka seat.
The party needs to win an electorate, or to get more than 5% of the party vote, in order to secure New Zealand First's survival in parliament.
