Winston Peters: NZ First leader says foreign invested infrastructure plan has worked overseas, and we desperately need the savings

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

NZ First leader Winston Peters says his changes to the tax system to attract foreign investment are aimed at people with more than a “lousy $20 million”.

He made the initial announcement before the arrest of two people for allegedly shoving one of his ministers trying to shield him from protesters.

His speech at the NZ First conference in Hamilton yesterday to make the announcement was interrupted before Peters was accosted outside the venue.

Peters told Mike Hosking the changes to the tax system were there to entice people willing to spend a lot of money.

When asked if $20 million would be enough, he called the sum “lousy”.

“If someone is going to come in with a lousy $20 million, we wouldn’t consider cutting a deal with them.”

Peters has been vocal in the past about his disdain for overseas investors buying property in New Zealand, but said “the right person with the right investment will get the right place”.

“There is no reason why you can’t come, you should be allowed to come.

“We desperately need the money, we have failed to put away a savings fund … we need to find the money somehow.”

He said the tax changes worked in places like Taiwan and Ireland, so “of course it’s going to work here”.

“The economy is going to be strengthened by foreign investment.”

It comes after two people were arrested for allegedly pushing NZ First Minister Shane Jones as he sought to shield the leader from protesters yesterday.

In a statement, police said they were called about 3pm to a Te Rapa property after a report of two people being assaulted.

“There were no serious injuries. Two people were arrested and charges are being considered.”

The alleged push happened after Peters’ announcement the party will campaign on changes to the tax system to attract foreign investment that will fill the party’s proposed $100 billion future fund.

His speech was briefly interrupted by a couple of protesters supporting Palestine in its conflict with Israel.

A protester disrupts New Zealand First leader Winston Peters' speech during the party's national convention in Hamilton. Photo / Mike Scott

Peters, who is also Foreign Minister, paused as the protesters shouted the well-used pro-Palestine chant, “From the river to the sea”.

“Just go home,” Peters responded, adding, “Isn’t it amazing, they think that’s a day’s work.”

The protesters were quickly escorted out by security and party members, one of them telling them, “Get the f*** out of here”.

Peters was accosted as he finished his speech by other protesters who followed him out after his speech.

NZ First Party staff and members intervened to surround Peters from protesters, some being restrained. The protesters shouted after Peters, saying they wanted to debate the Palestine conflict.

Police arrested two people after protesters accosted Winston Peters and pushed Shane Jones at NZ First's national conference in Hamilton. Photo / Mike Scott

Two people were arrested after allegedly pushing Jones as he sought to shield Peters.

Police took statements from witnesses, including those who were caught up in the commotion.

Jones told the Herald the man who accosted him “seemed obsessed about skinks and other unintelligible rabble”.

“You can’t start manhandling politicians, certainly not when they’ve got their whānau around.

“I never said anything to inflame the situation, but my mere physical presence seems to be inflammatory enough as it is.”

Jones believed it was a “deliberate attempt” to disrupt the meeting and the incident was a warning for future events.

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