New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has reassured Northland voters government stability will not be threatened if he wins the seat on Saturday.
Winston Peters on the campaign trail in Northland Photo: RNZ / Lois Williams
During a debate on Morning Report today with National candidate Mark Osborne and Labour's Willow-Jean Prime, Mr Peters rejected suggestions a win for him would upset National's majority in Parliament.
Senior government ministers, including Prime Minister, John Key, have spent the last few days warning voters of dire consequences if the New Zealand First leader wins the Northland by-election.
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But Mr Peters dismissed suggestions government stability would be at risk.
"Please do your mathematics properly. We've said from day one we're not going to change the Government but we're sure going to change they way they treat you in the north," he said.
Mark Osborne Photo: Supplied
Mr Osborne said people in Northland should vote for him because as a government MP he would be more likely to get things done.
"I'm focused on improving our roading infrastructure and inside of government I can actually make that happen and that's why it's important that people actually vote for me. Because inside government I can get things done for Northland and across Northland," he said.
Later the two men got tetchy as they argued over who could better represent the electorate.
Mr Peters said Mr Osborne would not be Northland's MP on Saturday night because the electorate wanted a change.
Willow-Jean Prime speaking to a crowd of people at Kaikohe RSA. Photo: RNZ / Lois Williams
Willow-Jean Prime admitted she had no hope of winning the seat and said it was up to voters to decide who they would support.