Winston Peters, love awaits in a double-breasted suit.



But act fast - your paramour has to get a university assignment in by 2pm.



James Barber, 24, is spending this morning on the steps of the Supreme Court in Lambton Quay with a sign reading, ''marry me, Winston P.''



In the first hour of his proposal stakeout he had not seen the NZ First leader, despite dressing in the MP's famous suit jacket of choice.



The apparent snub comes despite Mr Barber blaring out romantic classics from Bette Midler and the soundtracks from Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason and Beaches.



It could be because Mr Peters has previously said he would not support the marriage equality bill because it should be the subject of a referendum. The bill has its third reading tonight and is expected to pass comfortably.



Or it could be that Mr Peters already has a partner - a female one - called Jan Trotman.



In any case, Mr Barber is happy to wait. He even says his girlfriend has agreed to let him marry Mr Peters, should the politician agree.



Since waiting on the steps this morning he had already had one staff member from Mr Peter's office approach him, but she could bring no official word from the boss.



Other members of the public were largely supportive.



''I think everybody would hold the view, if Winston doesn't want to marry me, he has the right.



''But I do love him.''



In a proposal emailed to Mr Peters' office, and copied to The Dominion Post, Mr Barber said from the moment he first set eyes on Mr Peters on television in 1996 he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with him.



''Any man who could play Helen Clark and Jim Bolger for saps was surely a perfect specimen of politician."



On the verge of the legislation passing its final reading Mr Barber said now was the time to tell Mr Peters about his true feelings.



''I love you Winston Peters. I love your staunch, unchanging principles and ideals. I love your traditional conservative politics and I love the SuperGold Card. Hopefully they will still have it when I reach 65.



''Please make me the happiest Wellingtonian and accept my hand in marriage, should the bill pass.''



Mr Barber planned to study to become a teacher and hoped Mr Peters won another term in Parliament so that - if they got married - he could stay in Wellington.

Contact Tom Hunt

Breaking news reporter

Email: tom.hunt@dompost.co.nz

Twitter: @tomdom76