Winston Peters has used a major speech in Whangārei to unveil a series of economic and political proposals, including a Special Economic Zone at Marsden Point, the possible buyback of the Bank of New Zealand, and strong opposition to the proposed free trade agreement with India.
The New Zealand First leader criticised Labour, the Greens, Te Pāti Māori, National and ACT throughout the address, while positioning his party as the only nationalist political force willing to challenge “globalist” policies.
Peters announced former Whangārei mayor Vince Cocurullo as NZ First’s candidate for the Whangārei electorate and confirmed MP Jenny Marcroft would contest Kaipara ki Mahurangi again. He also argued Whangārei had been neglected for decades, describing it as a “Cinderella City” that had failed to receive the level of investment seen during earlier eras of government-backed industrial development in Northland.
A major focus of the speech was the closure of the Marsden Point oil refinery, which Peters again described as “economic treason”. He accused former Labour Energy Minister Megan Woods and the previous Labour Government of allowing the refinery to shut despite warnings over fuel security risks. Peters said recent tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz had reinforced concerns raised by NZ First when the refinery ceased operations.
Peters also promoted plans for a Special Economic Zone covering Marsden Point and Northport, aimed at encouraging energy, shipping and maritime industries through streamlined planning approvals, reduced regulation and potential tax incentives. The proposal would include infrastructure projects such as a dry dock facility, rail links and the Northland Expressway.
On economic policy, Peters renewed NZ First’s proposal for the Government to buy back BNZ, arguing New Zealand’s banking sector was dominated by Australian-owned banks extracting profits offshore. He said state ownership of a major bank would improve competition and keep more capital within the New Zealand economy.
The deputy prime minister also strongly criticised the proposed India free trade agreement, claiming it functioned more as a migration arrangement than a trade deal. Peters argued provisions relating to work visas, foreign students, the Paris climate accord and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples undermined New Zealand’s economic and national interests.
The speech also covered law and order, immigration, climate policy and gender legislation. Peters defended NZ First’s proposed bill defining “woman” and “man” in law according to biological sex, saying the legislation was intended to provide legal certainty and protect women’s spaces and sport.
Concluding the address, Peters said NZ First was seeking support to continue what he described as a mission to restore economic sovereignty, lower living costs and protect New Zealand’s national identity and future.
Just finished a meeting with a great crowd again today here in Whangārei with a packed hall.
Today we announced a campaign policy to create a Special Economic Zone at Marsden Point.
Great numbers, great feedback, and lots of positive support! pic.twitter.com/NaKdK5iTem
— Winston Peters (@winstonpeters) May 24, 2026
I will be voting for Winston.
I too will vote for Winston.
Given Peters says he’s serious about removing the immigration clauses from this so called trade deal with India, then tell Luxon he wont form a govt with him after the next election, unless they are removed forthwith. I’ll wager they would be gone by tea time.
As it stands the concrete reality is NZF are part of this govt and its policies. Unless they can draw a clear and convincing distinction, I can’t see people like myself, viewing them as any different from the rest of the party’s, they no longer want to vote for.
I have always voted NZFirst.
Mass immigration from India will turn this country into India within one generation. Ever been there? Don’t worry. If National or Labour get in you won’t have to go. Politically we will have lost control of this country and India will be right here along with its invidious caste system. Forget Te reo. Learn Hindi.
Peters needs to toughen up and withdraw from the Paris Accord and UNDRIP. And the WHO. And the UN. These are nefarious organisations set up simply to extract huge amounts of money from member countries.
Climate change no longer exists. All gone. Change of narrative. Data centres are the flavour of the day now with heat signatures right off the scale.
The dry dock idea is excellent. Also bring back the engineering maintenance crews for Air New Zealand. Crank up Hillside Railway workshops and stop giving contracts to China. This country used to be – for its size and population – the greatest little country in the world. To understand what happened, what is still happening, check out the process of Internationalisa-
tion of capital – the transformation of capitalism into imperialism.
Once again people will fall for promises made but never kept by lying politicians/political parties who will do and say anything to keep their state funded salary and perks.