New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has used a wide-ranging interview with Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown to argue that New Zealand has reached a critical economic crossroads, warning that the 2026 General Election could determine whether the country reverses decades of declining productivity or continues along its current path.
Report by elocal
The interview forms part of Auckland Unfiltered, a series produced by The Office of the Mayor of Auckland, in which Mayor Brown sits down with political leaders from across the political spectrum ahead of the General Election.
According to the programme description, the parliamentary special is designed to move beyond campaign slogans and examine what each party's policies would mean specifically for Auckland, a city facing significant infrastructure demands, cost-of-living pressures and funding challenges.
Throughout the interview, Peters repeatedly returned to what he sees as New Zealand's central challenge: economic productivity.
"Our government and all my life have just been managing the decline."
He argued successive governments have accepted slow economic growth as normal, despite New Zealand possessing considerable natural advantages.
"If we don't turn this around, we are going to look like Venezuela or Myanmar."
Peters described the coming election as an "inflection election", suggesting it represents a decisive opportunity to change New Zealand's long-term economic trajectory.
Auckland's Role
Auckland was central to much of the discussion.
Peters described New Zealand's largest city as the country's economic engine, contributing around 40 percent of GDP, but argued central government has too often constrained rather than enabled its growth.
"Instead of being facilitated in its growth by Wellington, it's been hampered by it."
He also reiterated New Zealand First's opposition to unelected representation in local government, saying governance should remain based on democratic elections.
Infrastructure and Value for Money
Mayor Brown questioned Peters extensively on Auckland's infrastructure costs, including the City Rail Link and the impact of rising rates.
Peters argued New Zealand has developed a culture where major public projects routinely exceed budgets and timelines.
"This has become the cost-plus country."
He contrasted that with earlier infrastructure projects which, in his view, demonstrated that public works can be delivered efficiently when properly managed.
Productivity and Economic Growth
A recurring theme was Peters' belief that New Zealand has become accustomed to accepting modest economic growth.
He dismissed political debate over annual growth rates of one or two percent as insufficient to meet the country's long-term needs.
"You've got to go at 3% plus."
According to Peters, higher productivity, greater value-added industries, improved infrastructure delivery and reduced government waste are all essential if New Zealand is to remain internationally competitive.
Building National Wealth
Peters also outlined his support for creating a much larger long-term national investment fund, arguing New Zealand should be developing between $100 billion and $200 billion in future investment capital.
He suggested such a fund should be managed independently by experienced investment professionals rather than politicians, providing greater long-term economic resilience while supporting future infrastructure investment.
Energy Independence
The discussion concluded with energy security, particularly following recent international tensions affecting global fuel supplies.
Peters argued New Zealand should make greater use of its own natural resources.
"We are resource rich in energy. Start exploiting it."
He also questioned current restrictions affecting mining and domestic resource development, arguing they unnecessarily limit future economic opportunities.
Looking Beyond Auckland
Although centred on Auckland, the interview reflected broader national issues likely to feature prominently during the election campaign, including productivity, infrastructure delivery, housing, transport, energy security and long-term economic growth.
Asked what Auckland could expect if New Zealand First exercised significant influence after the election, Peters responded confidently:
"They'll be heading towards a 5% growth economy."
Analysis
Rather than concentrating on traditional campaign themes, Peters framed the election as a choice about New Zealand's long-term economic direction.
His central argument is that the country's greatest challenge is not a lack of resources, talent or opportunity, but decades of declining productivity, escalating project costs and an over-centralised approach to decision-making.
Whether voters agree with his proposed solutions or not, the interview reflects an increasingly important debate about New Zealand's economic competitiveness, infrastructure performance and future prosperity.
With Auckland generating a substantial share of the nation's economic output, the discussion also highlights the growing relationship between the city's future and New Zealand's overall economic performance.
Source
Interview: Winston Peters: Why NZ First Deserves Your Vote
Series: Auckland Unfiltered
Producer: The Office of the Mayor of Auckland
Host: Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown