Controversial MP and New Zealand First Party leader Winston Peters has left his Foreign Ministerial post while the Serious Fraud Office investigates claims of donation misuse. His portfolios as Racing Minister and Associate Minister for Senior Citizens have also been taken temporarily by Prime Minister Helen Clark.
The Epoch Times takes a look at some memorable quotes Mr Peters has left us with in his political career so far.
“I have no knowledge of where and by whom any donation to New Zealand First was requested,” Peters said in response to the recent misuse of donation money allegation. He called the investigation “ridiculous in the extreme”.
During the third reading of the Electoral Finance Bill this year, Peters slams “covert money”.
“It has everything to do with it. I say to Dr Mapp that is why we want to know who is backing National, because we are not going to have the kind of covert money that is destroying democracy in some countries in the Pacific today.”
Peters is known for his contempt for media. In a recent speech to Canterbury students he said: “Most media a trying to play a game of join the dots but without any dots, and they wonder why they get the picture all wrong.”
Immigration issues have been at the forefront of NZ First policies. In 2005 Peters said, “There is a significant percentage of Asians in Auckland. That’s my view. If you don’t like it, vote for another party and let race relations go into chaos.”
“We have now reached the point where you can wander down Queen Street in Auckland and wonder if you are still in New Zealand or some other country,” Peters said in announcing “flying squads” to search for potentially risky immigrants.
Peters has not announced whether he will stand for the Tauranga seat in the November election.
