The 55 percent of people who did not vote for National at the last election have sent a meaningful message for change, a three-term former New Zealand First MP says.
Pita Paraone Photo: NZFirst
The New Zealand First board and caucus have been meeting today to discuss whether to form a government with National or Labour, and are set to meet again in the morning.
- Pita Paraone
Pita Paraone, who was first elected on the New Zealand First list in 2002, told Checkpoint that irrespective of which party people voted for, votes against the status quo far exceeded those who supported it.
"In my mind, there seemed to be a desire for a change in government."
Mr Paraone said New Zealand First should be considering that fact, as well as how the party would be in 2020.
He said Mr Peters should not be written off by the next election.
"With my experience with him, there's a lot of energy there, and his intellect is still as sharp as ever ... but I'm sure he would be considering leaving the party with a strong foundation going into the future."
Mr Paraone said if he had been able to have input into today's New Zealand First meeting he would have reminded people of the desire for change and the party's long-term future.
"I would also consider how many of our policies were similar or got support from the other two parties, and I think that will also be a consideration that the board and the parliamentary caucus will have to consider."