Prime Minister John Key might offer New Zealand First leader Winston Peters a significant position in government if he needs his support after the next election.
Winston Peters. Photo: NZ FIRST PARTY
In the past, Mr Peters has taken senior government positions as the price for his support.
On one occasion he was made foreign affairs minister and on another treasurer, a specially created post which had higher seniority than the role of finance minister.
Mr Key was asked on TV3 if he would make any similar offer to Mr Peters after this year's election.
"You will have to do something, I would have thought," Mr Key said.
"If he doesn't want to abstain and we do need him and he is prepared to come with us then yep, obviously we'd have to talk to him about what sort or role he would take, if any."
Mr Key said the role of foreign affairs minister was a hard one and Mr Peters could be in a different time of his career than previously.
