New Zealand First leader Winston Peters used his ‘State of the Nation’ address to outline a sweeping energy policy, criticise political opponents, and warn of ongoing economic challenges ahead of this year’s election.
Speaking to supporters, Peters said the country was operating in a “chaotic environment” and conceded the economy “isn’t where it should be,” while positioning his party as a corrective force.
Central to his speech was a proposal to break up electricity gentailers, arguing the current structure allows major players to dominate both generation and retail pricing. Peters claimed the four largest companies control nearly 90 percent of electricity generation and effectively sell power to themselves. He said dismantling this model would increase competition, drive new infrastructure, and strengthen the resilience of the energy system, declaring it was time to “secure our electricity system for all New Zealanders.”
The party also introduced Alfred Ngaro as a candidate for the upcoming election. Ngaro told attendees that New Zealand First represented “what is right,” acknowledging a sense of uncertainty among working New Zealanders but insisting the country’s future remained strong.
Peters broadened his criticism to major economic assets, condemning Fonterra’s reported plans to divest brands such as Mainland, Anchor and Kapiti, describing the co-operative’s shift as a move away from its national roots. He also rejected suggestions the government should sell its stake in Air New Zealand, calling such proposals “economic neoliberal lunacy” and arguing the airline should remain a protected national asset.
On Covid-19, Peters seized on findings from the latest inquiry to attack the previous Labour government, saying former ministers had questions to answer and accusing them of failing to properly inform the public. He alleged billions were wasted and criticised vaccine communication, claims strongly disputed by Labour.
The speech was delivered in Tauranga where some protesters had gathered outside the venue.
Recent polling indicates the party is gaining momentum, with support nearing 10 percent and Peters ranking third in preferred prime minister stakes, signalling a potentially influential role in the coming election.
Huge crowd turned out today for our State of the Nation speech in Tauranga.
Over a thousand people packed the main hall and three over flow rooms with a hugely positive response.
There is a movement happening… pic.twitter.com/aqeeHnICIk
— Winston Peters (@winstonpeters) March 22, 2026
Any comment from Winston about Marsden Point? Any comment about current fuel crisis? Or a conspicuously deafening silence and denial of reality?
So you didn’t listen? Yes he DID cover this quite comprehensively actually.
Good choice with Alfred Ngaro. A thoroughly decent guy.
I would like to see Diewe de Boer and William Mcgimpsey as MPs.
His lips are moving, he’s a entrenched politician, so he must be lying.
How much did you sell your soul for Winnie?
PMship.
Buy Russian oil bro
NZF have had three years to be a “corrective force” and as far as I can see, little is even remotely correct. That said the Greens cretinous, unworkable tax policy will bring NZ to its knees. Tax on wealth (see business people leave and new one’s failing to arrive), farmers will be hit big time, driving up costs of meat that are already through the ceiling, a nasty tax on trusts and 33% inheritance tax. In other words you’ll be taxed “twice” and then we have the morons in Labour who want to throw in CGT at 28%, which is even higher than Australia at 25% and could end up being a tax on inflation.
So even if you vote for the current bunch to return I’d not entirely blame you.The alternative will end this country as we know it.
Selling energy to themselves!
A bit like fuel suppliers regulating their own pricing? And the govt taking half as tax/duty?
What about carbon tax going offshore? To who? To what effect/affect?
Supplying energy to themselves?
A bit like fuel suppliers regulating their own pricing? And half tax/duty? Vested interest.
What about carbon tax increasing energy price?
Kiwis actually built the electricity, my father helped with the dams as a civil engineer in Napier. Frankly the plan was to give kiwis cheap electricity as kiws built and piad for the dams and who screwed that up?