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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters.
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters often describes NZ as a small and isolated nation situated 'just north of the penguins' but says in terms of global affairs, NZ and other small nations should be judged on the quality of their arguments and not the size of their military.
He has talked about the shift from rules-based trade to where the size and power of a nation override the rules-based system. Over many years, NZ has been recognised as a nation that supports, and needs for its survival, a rules-based trading system.
In recent years, NZ played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) - a trade deal between 12 Asia Pacific economies including Australia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, NZ, Singapore, and Vietnam.
Peters says while negotiating the arrangement, NZ insisted on and got the significant words "comprehensive and progressive" to be included in the title of the agreement to give it more weight.
Reflecting on the evolution of the NZ economy over the years, Peters expresses disappointment. He says that countries such as Ireland and Australia have got the jump on us over the years. He says in 1981 when in Ireland, he saw a dramatic change in its development.
"In many ways, we have left ourselves behind. If we had been as clever as Ireland was then, we would be in a much better position than we are today," he told Rural News.
As Foreign Minister, Peters seems to spend as much time in his office. When Rural News pointed out his age - 80 - Peters laughed and pointed out he learned at an early age how to burn the candle at both ends.
"I was brought up on a farm and I had to milk the cows before I went to school and when I got home in the evening, I had to milk them before I did my homework, and that hard work in my early life has helped me deal with the hard work and long hours that I do as a politician," he says.
Peters also muses that older people should be encouraged to stay working, because they know what they are doing and don't mind working long hours.
"For us being five minutes early for work is being on time and being on time is late," he says.
OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related protests – and that is to be expected, but the diplomatic efforts and wisdom of Winston Peters in this area should not be overlooked or ignored.
New Zealand First leader and Foreign Minister Winston Peters is ratcheting up pressure on Fonterra farmers as they vote on divesting the co-operative’s consumer and related businesses.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has joined the debate around the proposed sale of Fonterra’s consumer and related businesses, demanding answers from the co-operative around its milk supply deal with the buyer, Lactalis.
OPINION: Milking It reckons if you're National, looking at recent polls, the dream scenario is that the elusive economic recovery finally roars to life.
If voters see some growth and wages rising faster than prices, the government could say they've "fixed" things as they ride into the next election.
Back here on Earth though, the economy they inherited is a basket case, and the long-term headwinds are fierce.
Political commentator Liam Hehir says, "dreams are not plans" and if the turnaround doesn't come in time, National may have no choice but to go negative.
"Everybody wants to fight on the economy if they can. But when neither side has a compelling story, the contest shifts to other issues. That's not new. In fact, it's the stuff of politics everywhere, always."
OPINION: Nothing it seems can be done in the short term to get Donald Trump to change his mind about removing the unfair 15% tariffs that he’s imposed on New Zealand exports to the US.
According to ASB, Fonterra's plan to sell it's Anchor and Mainlands brands could inject $4.5 billion in additional spending into the economy.
New Zealand’s trade with the European Union has jumped $2 billion since a free trade deal entered into force in May last year.
The climate of uncertainty and market fragmentation that currently characterises the global economy suggests that many of the European agricultural machinery manufacturers will be looking for new markets.
Dignitaries from all walks of life – the governor general, politicians past and present, Maoridom- including the Maori Queen, church leaders, the primary sector and family and friends packed Our Lady of Kapiti’s Catholic church in Paraparaumu on Thursday October 23 to pay tribute to former prime Minister, Jim Bolger who died last week.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister, Todd McClay is encouraging farmers, growers, and foresters not to take unnecessary risks, asking that they heed weather warnings today.
With nearly two million underutilised dairy calves born annually and the beef price outlook strong, New Zealand’s opportunity to build a scalable dairy-beef system is now.
OPINION: The Greens have taken the high moral ground on the Palestine issue and been leading political agitators in related…
One of the most galling aspects of the tariffs whacked on our farm exports to the US is the fact…
