The Winston Welcome

The first week back in the house for 2025 was certainly a big one for New Zealand First. And to kick things off was a rousing speech from New Zealand First Leader, Rt Hon Winston Peters.

If you missed the action, make sure you watch it HERE.

Also starting the year with all cylinders firing was Hon Casey Costello, acknowledging the great work the coalition Government has done so far, and refusing to hold back when it comes to New Zealand First's unwavering belief in personal responsibility, and creating opportunities for Kiwis. See Casey's speech HERE.

You can hear more from Winston in his first interview of the year on The Platform, or his latest catch up with Dale on Waatea News.

• Winston Peters On John Minto’s ‘Genocide Hotline’, Whale Music, Treaty Principles Bill
• Winston Peters: What’s happening with the Minister of Rails? Don’t we need better rail transport?

Major Mining Milestone

Our champion of resources, Hon Shane Jones, was in Waihi on Friday to officially launch New Zealand’s national Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List. This coalition commitment was campaigned on by New Zealand First and is another welcome step forward in our progress towards economic prosperity.

“I’ve spoken at length about how a lack of long-term strategic direction has hindered this country in reaping the economic and security benefits our natural resources present. I am delighted to say that that ends now” – Shane Jones

This strategy will unleash the potential of New Zealand’s natural resources and impact our country’s self-sufficiency, whilst reinvigorating our regions and contributing to the strength of New Zealand’s export-led economy.

You can watch Shane’s announcement speech HERE.

It wasn’t just mining that had our oratorical extraordinaire in the headlines this week either. Shane is also going into bat for mining businesses against the banks. Not content to stick to their lane, banks have been limiting, and indeed threatening, the use of their services to legitimate businesses because they don’t meet their ‘woke requirements’ around climate targets.

Rest assured, New Zealand First will not let this slide. We campaigned on a banking inquiry that was solidified in our coalition agreement, and this latest stunt has just reinvigorated Shane and the team to champion fairness, business, and commonsense against this latest attack.

Hear more HERE.

Read more HERE.

Wool progress and MP write ups

Great news for our favourite wool advocate, Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson, who was thrilled to see Kainga Ora’s decision to reopen their tendering process to woollen carpet suppliers.

• Kāinga Ora rethinks wool carpet decision, reopens tender process
• Kāinga Ora reopens carpet bid to include wool suppliers

“This is a great step toward ensuring wool, a sustainable and high-quality product, is given the fair consideration it deserves. It creates a level playing field, supports the wool industry and honours the coalition agreement”. – Mark Patterson

Mark rounded out his week in Gore, including a Farm and Agriculture Sector forum, and a visit with the Tuapeka Health Lawrence Hospital team to hear about their progressive business plan for rural health services. And you can hear a bit more from the man himself in his interview this week with Michael Laws.

Our caucus team are regularly providing commentary on topics of importance. Make sure you check out what they're saying in our latest blog post on the New Zealand First website.