Winston Peters shouldn't be here. By all the rules of modern politics, a man who first entered Parliament in 1978 and has been "retired" by the voters multiple times should be at home in Northland, maybe enjoying a whiskey and a quiet sunset. Instead, as 2026 kicks off, he's the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Racing, and the Minister for Rail. He is the ultimate political Lazarus.
You’ve probably seen the headlines or the clips of him sparring with reporters. He’s sharp, often grumpy, and carries a sense of theatre that makes younger MPs look like they’re reading from a teleprompter. But if you think Winston Peters is just a relic of the past, you're missing the point. He is currently one of the most powerful people in the country, and he’s polling at nearly 10% heading into an election year.
The 2026 Reality: Is He Still the Kingmaker?
Right now, the political landscape is shifting. Peters finished his third stint as Deputy Prime Minister in May 2025, handing the baton to David Seymour as part of that unique "coalition of three" deal with National and ACT. Most people expected him to fade into the background once he lost the "Deputy" title.
He didn't.
Actually, he's been busier than ever. He’s clocked up over 30 overseas trips and visited more than 50 countries this term. He calls it "filling the void" left by previous governments. Critics call it a very expensive way to stay relevant. But you can't deny the impact. Whether it’s signing defense agreements with Japan or navigating the tricky waters of the AUKUS Pillar Two debate, Peters is the one holding the briefcase.
Why he keeps winning
- The "Worker" Rhetoric: He’s been pivoting back to his "party of the workers" roots, trying to snatch back the blue-collar vote from Labour.
- The Handbrake Strategy: He loves playing the adult in the room who stops "nutty" ideas from both the left and the right.
- Unerring Instincts: He called the Trump victories in 2016 and 2024 when others were laughing. He knows which way the wind is blowing before the weather report is even written.
What Really Happened With the ACT "Feud"?
If you want to understand Winston Peters in 2026, you have to look at his relationship with David Seymour. It’s... complicated. Or, honestly, it’s just bad.
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Peters recently announced he wants to repeal the Regulatory Standards Bill—a piece of legislation he literally helped pass. Why? Because he claims he "neutered" it as much as he could at the time but still hates that it gives power to "unelected bureaucrats." It’s a classic Winston move: be in the government, but act like you're the opposition.
He’s also been vocal about the economy. He recently told RNZ that the government should have delayed tax cuts because the "books were in a worse state than we thought." This kind of "brutal honesty" is exactly why his base loves him. It makes him look like the only guy willing to tell the truth, even if it makes his own coalition partners look a bit silly.
The Man Behind the Silver Hair
Winston Raymond Peters isn't just a politician; he's a brand. Born in April 1945, he’s seen it all. He was a teacher, a lawyer, and a Māori rugby representative. He left the National Party in 1993 to start New Zealand First because he hated the "Ruthanasia" neoliberal reforms of the time.
He’s always been a nationalist. Not the scary kind you see on the news in Europe, but a "New Zealand First" kind. He hates globalism. He’s skeptical of international treaties that he thinks hand over our sovereignty. And yet, he is our top diplomat. It’s a walking contradiction that somehow works.
A Rough Year at Home
It hasn't all been cocktail parties in Washington and London. In October 2025, his home was vandalized during a protest. A window was smashed. For a guy who prides himself on being "of the people," that had to sting. But in true Winston fashion, he brushed it off. He’s dealt with far worse—like the time he was banned from Parliament for visiting anti-mandate protesters in 2022. He always comes back.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People often label him as just a populist or a disruptor. That’s too simple. If you look at his record as Foreign Minister, he’s actually quite traditional. He’s a big believer in the "Pacific Reset" and making sure New Zealand doesn't get bullied by larger powers.
He’s also surprisingly pragmatic about the Treaty of Waitangi. While his coalition partners in ACT want a referendum on Treaty principles, Peters has been more cautious. He’s Māori himself, and while he hates "identity politics," he understands the constitutional weight of the Treaty in a way that some of the newer MPs don't.
The Road to the 2026 Election
We are officially in an election year. The big question isn't whether Winston Peters will retire—we know the answer to that (never). The question is who he will work with next.
He’s already ruled out working with Labour under Chris Hipkins. He called it "unwise" for any party to think they can roll a Prime Minister and keep the government stable. But he’s left the door a tiny bit ajar for a post-Hipkins Labour. Or maybe he just stays with National.
He’s currently polling well because he’s positioning himself as the "stability" candidate. In a world that feels increasingly chaotic, a 80-year-old guy who knows how the levers of power work starts to look pretty attractive to a lot of voters.
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Actions to watch for:
- The Reserve Bank Tussle: Peters has been increasingly critical of the Reserve Bank’s independence. Watch for him to push for more government oversight of interest rates—a move that makes economists nervous but wins votes from mortgage-stressed families.
- The "Mexico" Rhetoric: His deputy, Shane Jones, has been making headlines with "send them home" comments regarding certain immigrant groups. Peters usually plays the "good cop" here, but he’ll use that energy to push for tighter immigration settings.
- Pacific Diplomacy: Expect more "chequebook diplomacy" in the Pacific to counter Chinese influence. He’s already promised $13 million for Pacific aviation security.
The Actionable Takeaway for Kiwis
Whether you love him or loathe him, you can't ignore him. If you're trying to figure out where New Zealand is headed in 2026, don't just look at the Prime Minister. Look at the guy in the well-tailored suit standing just to the side.
Winston Peters is the ultimate barometer for the "average" New Zealander's anxieties. If he’s talking about it, a huge chunk of the country is worried about it. If you want to stay ahead of policy changes, watch his "Member's Bills." He uses them as a lighthouse to show where he wants to take the country next.
Keep an eye on the polls over the next six months. If NZ First stays above 7-8%, Winston Peters isn't just going to be in the next government; he’s going to be the one writing the rules. Again.
Next steps for staying informed:
- Monitor the Judicial Conduct Panel hearing in February 2026 regarding Judge Ema Aitken, who is accused of calling Peters a "liar" at a 2024 event. It’s a rare look at the friction between the judiciary and the executive.
- Track the progress of the Regulatory Standards Bill repeal. If Peters succeeds, it marks a significant shift in the coalition’s internal power balance.
- Watch for the Antarctic Parliamentarians Assembly in Wellington. As Foreign Minister, Peters will use this to assert NZ’s claim as a leader in Southern Ocean policy.