Winston Peters opened a Q & A thread yesterday on his Facebook page.

The link to start asking your questions for the Q & A is now open via the tab on my page. Will be back here at 4pm to answer as many as possible.

It wasn’t clear to some that the Q&A was on a different tab on on his page. Questions were posted almost immediately on the timeline page and continued into the evening. Peters didn’t address any of them, but he participated in the Q & A.

Full contents of the Q & A – questions seem to have been filtered, see Peters selective on facing Facebook for unanswered questions and comments.

NZ First: Hi. Winston will be here at 4pm to answer your questions. Please keep them short and to the point – that way he can answer more questions in the time he has available.

Comment From Lydiote xx

Hi Winston, What is your favourite meal after a long day at work? I need dinner ideas!!!

Winston Peters: Lots of greens and fresh fish.

Comment From Bev Stratford

Winston, do you think we should keep giving Assies benifits NZ’S don’t get over there

Winston Peters: Yes we should and seriously work on getting Kiwis in Australia a fair go, like there used to be before people coming to NZ used residency as a bolt hole to get into Australia. The Australians reacted in 2001 as New Zealand First warned they would for a long time before that.

Comment From Karl

Hi Winston, are you running a candidate in the Rangitikei electorate this election?

Winston Peters: Nominations are open, candidates will be announced in due course.

Comment From Lisa Vanderpump

Mr Peters! What is your wine of choice? Rose?

Winston Peters: Depends on what the meal is, lunch or dinner, but preferably something light.

Comment From gillian templeton

the MOE are in discussion with the three special needs schools in chch. as parents and the schools themselves we dont want what they are trying to force on us, can you help?

Winston Peters: Could you send us some details to our education spokesperson, Tracey Martin, and myself?

Comment From Trixie

Hello Winston I think you would be great in a reailty tv show. ever considered it?

Winston Peters: Have you watched Parliament lately? That’s a reality comedy show!

Comment From Deb

Hi, where do you stand on Labour’s idea of Compulsory KiwiSaver for everyone at 9%? Especially if it’s not government guaranteed?

Winston Peters: It’s not Labour’s idea – we have stood for compulsory savings since 1996, offered a referendum on it in 1997 which was sadly defeated. But of course the problem didn’t go away. What we offered back then was a tax cut, which went to personal savings, and long term would have bolstered both the savings of the nation and individuals.

Comment From Luke.

Hello Winston, can I ask is the current government going to be involved with geo engineering programs, ‘ie’ aerosol programs which Australia, UK, America to name a few are hammering these programs now. Or typically do the government members not like discussing this topic?

Winston Peters: That’s a fair subject and other countries have reacted to scientific concerns and we should be much further down the track on this debate than we are.

Comment From Bevan

Kia Ora Winston, How does NZ First engage with ethnic communities in NZ? What strategies does NZ First have in place to empower leadership and innovation in our youth?

Winston Peters: All communities are ethnic, and the importance is that that is respected. Fundamentally, we all come from different backgrounds, trying to create one country where we feel that our values and principles are respected by the law.

Comment From Chelsea

what do u think has caused the housing bubble in auckland and what would you do 2 try and fix it. is it fixable?

Winston Peters: Lack of supply of housing against exaggerated demand from high immigration and offshore buying without having to even live here. We will never get on top of this until we address housing demand against affordable housing supply. What would we do – it’s on our website – you’ll see our policy towards landbanks, low interest loans and ability to afford a house at no higher than 30 per cent of weekly income as a benchmark.

Comment From J. Cooper

.what options do you propose to get out of the “eggs in one basket” economy that is causing huge issues, not just in the widening economic disparities but also to the future of our environment.

Winston Peters: We have seriously got to add value to far more of our primary resources before exporting. Second, give real substance to import substitution with a proactive buy NZ policy and third, provide the real taxation and depreciation incentives for the new IT and other industries to emerge and compete and survive long term.

Comment From Elle Bruce

Good afternoon Mr Peters, My concern is mainly around CYFs and its appalling dealings with Foster children, What avenues are open to improve this tragic service and hold CYF workers more accountable for their poor performance and ‘passing the buck’ attitude.

Winston Peters: There are clearly are too many problems emerging and that may point to systemic failures within CYFS. We can set out to fix the system up but we will do much better if we can stabilise families with their income from first world jobs and wages, and be intolerant of citizens who neglect or are violent to their spouse or child.

Comment From Daniel

Would you be able to give us an idea of what would most likely be in the NZ First tax policy, or if not is there a specifc date when the policy will be announced? Regards

Winston Peters: The policy will be out before too long because we have spent a lot of time working on it, we are confident it will be both appropriate and responsible and result in a far more prosperous economy and much higher incomes per person. We are going to send real signals to the industries and people that can change NZ’s future for the better, rather than just tax breaks for our mates.

Comment From Lorraine Taylor

What will you policy be on ‘government funding for Epipens and Anapens’ should you get voted in, in the next election ?

Winston Peters: I apologise for not being as informed on this subject to the degree you would like, but I will get up to speed. Our health spokesperson Barbara Stewart would be the best person to contact, but if you’ve got any information you’d like me to have, please send it to me.

Comment From Richard

Would NZ First put in place a capital gains tax on residential houses ?

Winston Peters: No.

Comment From Jan McKeogh

What do think about John Key and his promise not to touch superannuation, presumably this includes the scandalous theft of overseas pensions?

Winston Peters: I don’t trust that promise cos many of the National Party’s financial backers are leading the charge for that to happen right now as are members of his caucus. They broke their word in 1991 on the surtax and then attacked Super 1 October 1998.

Comment From Guest

Hi Winston.. I believe you are against the signing of the TTP.. if you are in power what will you do to prevent this happening without at least being disclosed as to content.. and a quick second where do you and your party stand on the current Food Bill being put to parliment at the moment? Thanks

Winston Peters: We support the Food Bill because people need much more information to be wise consumers. We’re against the current settings of the TPP debate because a) no information has been given out to parliamentarians b) we suspect that it could serious damage to some of our primary production and c) enable multinationals to attack New Zealand’s sovereignty on commercial issues. In short, if it’s so good, why not tell the people the facts ?

Comment From Leah

Hi Winston i would like to know what your party main priority will be and if you will guarantee you will not go back on your word should you get a seat and be part of the new government.

Winston Peters: We don’t need to get a seat to get back into parliament. Although I’ve received countless criticisms about past negotiations, not one critic can put up one fact to prove that I broke my word after the election from that given pre-election. NZF is a democratic party and we make these decisions as a party, having regard to those who voted for us.

Comment From Morgan Le Quesne

Morgan Le Quesne Winston, please can you tell what the official average income is and does superannuation really reflect that. Does it work on gross or net income?

Winston Peters: Super works on net average income and the average income sadly appears to vary according to who is giving out the statistics. To be honest, it’s probably around 38-39,000 at the moment and 70 per cent of New Zealanders don’t even get that.

Comment From Ben

With the recent publicity on legal highs have Nz first’s opinions changed in regards to cannabis reform, it’s sounding more and more people are pro cannabis now

Winston Peters: Our views on cannabis have always been to hold a referendum. Let the people decide and we can live with what the majority decide.

Comment From Guest

My question is will you continue to challenge Gerry Brownlee over the reprehensible behaviour of EQC. It has long been apparent that Ian Simpson has long had a perverse agenda to reduce payouts,with the result thousands of Canterbrians continue to suffer both financially and emotionally.

Winston Peters: We most certainly will. Because Cantabs have suffered from not receiving in time the money that was due to them for repairs.

Comment From Ashleigh Sidney

Hi Winston, What will you do to help us Kiwis in Australia?

Winston Peters: The best I can, but remember who warned from 1996 onwards to the consequences of massive immigration to NZ. Back then of course, they were all shouting racist and xenophobe. Now they’ve come to their wits, they haven’t got the decency to say we were right after all. But we would deal firmly with the Australian government our social ANZAC pact. But the best thing to do is for yourself and the 300,000 other NZ’ers in Australia to vote and remember the party that has the record on this!

Comment From David S

What is more appealing to NZF – being with differently-orientated/aligned parties in government (with an influence on legistlation), or in the opposition with more like-minded parties?

Winston Peters: Great question. It’ll depend on policies announced over the next four months by various political players and what the people and the party thinks of them.

Comment From Alan

Is it likely that the Supers could be increased to 70% of average earnings

Winston Peters: We returned Super to its highest at 66% of the net average wage and then bought in the SuperGold Card to expand the spending power of that 66% income.

Comment From Helen MacKay

Do you think changes should be made to the Telecommunications and Broadcasting acts to make closed captioning mandatory in New Zealand?

Winston Peters: Yes

Comment From Rosie Matthew

If someone is given a life sentence, shouldn’t they be in jail for life?

Winston Peters: Depends on the offender and whether there is any chance of rehabilitation which must be first proven before release.

Comment From David S

Do you feel the speaker and media unfairly gave the illusion you had no important information with regards to Judith Collins the other day?

Winston Peters: It’s not an illusion to prove that in a confidential paper that she told the PM of her benefit from the Chinese Government but failed to disclose it publicly as every other Minister did for government’s that helped them abroad.

Comment From Jim

Hi Winston. Will NZF merge the Poison Centre 0800 helpline with other health helplines?

Winston Peters: I’d rather answer this question after you’ve sent me information as to why it should/shouldn’t be done.

Comment From Anele

What will NZfirst do to address Child Poverty in NZ?

Winston Peters: It’s not child poverty. It’s family and societal and political poverty. We used to be world leader in social equity which is a vision that modern politicians have tragically lost. We still believe in a fair society, that’s why we are for a minimum wage much higher than $15ph and for supporting businesses that employ New Zealanders in better paid, secure, permanent employment.

Comment From Ashleigh Sidney

Winston what will you do to help Kiwis in Australia who fall upon hard times?

Winston Peters: Can’t answer that question while they remain in Australia. We can only tell you what we’d do if you move back.

Comment From Rosie Matthew

If you were prime minister, would you keep serious criminals behind bars for longer?

Winston Peters: Yes, but we would more clearly delineate what is serious crime and introduce short, sharp sentencing which will be an option to longer terms. In short, at court, offenders will be given a choice: five years in the slammer or two years hard labour. The second option has far more likelihood of changing them for the better and save more than $95k per prisoner, per year.

Comment From Hank

Do you believe that every NZ citizen (and PR), regardless of which entry scheme they use (ie $10M investment scheme) should be able to read and write basic English?

Winston Peters: English language was always in the criteria for admission. It still should be.

Comment From Rob

Hi Winston- Currently govt is looking to squash more people into Auckland because of “increased demand”. Solutions provided are to lower the quality of life for existing residents and squash more people in, cut down trees etc. What would your solution to this be ?

Winston Peters: We have a serious regional development policy. There is serious spare infrastructure capacity in the regions and we’d give incentives for business to move and stay there. In addition, part of our immigration policy will give much higher points for immigrants prepared to go to the regions for a specific term. Once there, we believe many of them will stay. Stagnant, static, small city populations will change for the better.

Comment From Hank

Does NZF believe in a compulsory superannuation? And if so, would that be the continue support of Kiwisaver?

Winston Peters: We do. But we would offer a KiwiFund, much like the Cullen Fund management where the fees will be much lower and based on the Cullen Fund performance, returns and savings will be much higher.

Comment From Hank

Auckland is one of the most expensive cities for people to buy houses. Young Aucklanders struggle to get onto the property ladder. What is NZ First’s policy on the housing in Auckland, and in NZ?

Winston Peters: Our housing policy is on our website. But for Auckland specifically, we’ll stop overseas buying, cut back immigration numbers, give Auckland a chance to breathe and get on top of the chaos that is there now.

Comment From Shayne

Would you hold a referendum on compulsory savings or Kiwisaver instead of pushing it through? It should not be a govts job to force people to save money or put it into a scheme as frail as this. So, are you planning to get the people’s wishes on this?

Winston Peters: I gave the people the chance to have their say in the referendum of 1997. Every other political party attacked it, politicised the issue, but many of those now say they are for it. You go figure.

Comment From Robert

Why are a quarter of all National MPs not going to stand for re-election?

Winston Peters: Because there is a tea party process going on inside National where sitting MPs have been targeted, by often inferior outsiders and they have succeeded.

Comment From Tom B

How do you feel about Brendan Horan being “fired” from NZ First and then staying on as an independent MP? I thought that once list MP’s were expelled/fired from caucus, they had to leave Parliament all together

Winston Peters: Well he should have gone given the seriousness of our concerns but he stayed on, deprived us of resources and staff. At least he’ll be gone in four months time.

Comment From Hank

What is NZF’s policy on raising the retirement age?

Winston Peters: Super is costing 4.1% net against GDP. It is not unaffordable in that context. Moreover, ability to pay social welfare and super is very much aligned to running a sound economy. Because we haven’t, the very people that have failed as sound economic managers now say the old people are to blame. They are wrong, trust they will be found out at this election.

Comment From Andy Pine

So will you approach the TPP with as much gusto as you can ..as in the wine box? where you made something happen?

Winston Peters: Yes – but none of us have seen any of the details, whereas with the wine box I had a box full of evidence requiring careful investigation which we did, plus exposure against great opposition which we ignored.

Comment From Max Waters

What is NZF’s position in regard to the FATCA IGA with the US and in particular as it affects the privacy & civil liberties of ordinary Kiwis? Thank you.

Winston Peters: This is about allowing the American Inland Revenue to pry into the affairs of people with an American connection, no matter how long ago they began working and earning in NZ. This is a circus where the Govt is trying to pass a law before they even get a settlement or arrangement with the US government. What a complete debacle that issue is in terms of sound public policy.

Comment From Anele

Why did you decline the invitation to do the Campbell Live At home with the leaders segment?

Winston Peters: I didn’t decline the invite. I said he and his wife could come and have a great night. Just leave the cameras at home. I like my privacy, just like the next person. Am still waiting for him to say yes!

Comment From Andrew

When you called Brendan Horan the Jimmy Savile of NZ politics, did you mean he has a fondness for cigars, or tracksuits? I’m confused.

Winston Peters: Take a wild guess.

Comment From Brendan

The track’s going to be heavy in Oamaru this Friday. Any tips on horses in that meet?

Winston Peters: Never give a tip. Nobody remembers when you are right, they sure hold it against you when you are wrong.

Comment From Guest

Dear Winston, John Key has said that “If you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to fear” so why is the TPPA being negotiated in secret? Rom.

Winston Peters: That’s exactly the point. If there is nothing to hide, why don’t they show us the terms and the details of the negotiations.

Comment From Kaye

one thing we admire about you Winston, is your “one People, one Nation’ quote, I hope you have plans to live up to this statement

Winston Peters: I have argued for that since the day I arrived in parliament because it is the only way we can get on as a country of 4.3 million people against huge competition from the rest of the world. Fractured and divided we hamstring our ability to compete.

Comment From Guest

Have you ever looked at the economics of paying old age pensions outside NZ? That is to those who have qualified through the years through tax decuctions. I constantly encounter elderly who choose to travel in their senior years and are told to come home or be cut off. many older citizens could live comfortably outside NZ with family or in cheaper countries. Their absence would reduce the demand for health care and could take a load off the tax payer. And give the older citixzen the right to enjoy his last years where it suits him. Check it out!

Winston Peters: We are doing work on that right now but can’t give the details just as yet, but hopefully soon.

Comment From Julie Ford

Hi Winston, we now have problems with Muslim community in Auckland with a jihad ordered against some security men. Are our hands tied to get rid of such an individual who has made death threats?

Winston Peters: We expect everyone that comes here to respect our flag, whatever National flag it may be, respect our laws and respect other citizens. Now that means we are all in the same boat and if some don’t like that boat, we’ll they’ve got plenty of other options overseas.

Comment From Jan McKeogh

Do you think if National wins the election (God help us),NZ First will be wooed into forming a coalition?

Winston Peters: First, no one is going to win the election and any pollster that says so will be proved wrong. That means there will have to be some form of coalition of confidence and supply arrangement, of which there are many variations including a unique case of New Zealand First’s policy as we set out in 2011, before the election, of going on the cross benches and keeping the government honest.

Comment From Richard

Would NZ first allow a coalition where the Green Party has a right of veto ?

Winston Peters: We would not allow any party the right of veto.

Comment From Guest

I’m confused. What is the difference between a racist / zenophode and someone who is being patriotic?

Winston Peters: Often, there is no difference at all because the first two are insults which usually come from people who have no intention of defending the New Zealand population, our resources and policies that put the people of New Zealand first. Notice how they are all panicking about the Auckland housing crisis but go back one year or twenty years and note their deafening silence over that period. Or worse, insulting us for raising our legitimate concerns.

Comment From Steven

What do you want in a politician that stands for your Party

Winston Peters: Integrity. Commitment. Loyalty to voters. Serious ability.

Comment From Anele

There’s been speculation that National could increase GST to 17%. Would NZfirst raise gst?

Winston Peters: National is denying it, but then they denied that they would increase any taxes at the 2008 election. National got into government and put it up from 12.5 to 15%. So if they could deny it and then do it once, whats to stop them from doing it again?

Comment From Rosie Matthew

Should Judith Collins be sacked or be forced to resign?

Winston Peters: This issue is not over by a long shot.

Comment From Anele

How much would you raise the minimum wage to?

Winston Peters: We’ll announce that in the upcoming campaign.

Comment From Brent Clifton

Hi Winston , Do you think ACC is doing the is doing a good job for Kiwis

Winston Peters: Yes it is. But its been the victim of far too much politicking on the question of cost and what Nick Smith said in 08 and 09 has been proven to be absolutely false. That’s why they are lowering ACC levies now for 2015. However, there are aspects to ACC and its treatment of genuine victims which have been highly unsatisfactory.

Comment From Billy

Where do you get your suits from, and why double breasted suits? I like the pocket squares! (very classic)

Winston Peters: No place in particular, I try to not impulse buy but if I like something and the price is right, I consider it for a few days and if I still like it, I buy it. That’s if I can afford it! Just of interest, I do believe that everybody has a colour range for them and when you know your own personal colour range you’ll find you buy much more sensibly and don’t have stuff in the wardrobe for years because it doesn’t suit you and you no longer like it.

Comment From Ishta

What do you feel about Key’s determination to be on the UN Security Council? Also your stance on TPPA and GCSB?

Winston Peters: There are aspects of our recent international engagements which makes the Security Council job seriously difficult to attain. You’ve seen my stance on the TPPA and on the GCSB we would want a serious internal investigation into how we got caught up in a raid where the Minister for the GCSB (the PM) claimed he never knew about it. That claim of course is simply incredible because if it was true then why weren’t there people sacked for their non disclosure to their Minister.

Winston Peters: Have a good evening everyone – see you back here again soon.