Winston Peters' legal action against the National Party over the leak of his superannuation overpayments is continuing, according to his lawyer, despite the NZ First leader paying some costs.
24/01/13. Photo Diego Opatowski / RNZ. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at Ratana celebrations. Photo: RNZ / Diego Opatowski
It was revealed during the election campaign last year that Mr Peters had been mistakenly paid too much superannuation for seven years.
The Deputy Prime Minister then took action against the former Prime Minister Bill English, Paula Bennett, Steven Joyce and Anne Tolley, as well as two National staff members.
Mr Peters' lawyer, Brian Henry, said only some pre-trial costs had been agreed and the lawsuit was continuing.
Mr Henry said Mr Peters was paying the reasonable costs incurred by all the National Party members who supplied documents to him under the discovery process.
Mr Henry told Morning Report that a pre-proceeding application to get documents had been resolved, and under the process the party seeking the documents had the obligation to seek costs.
"My client will pay the costs that have to be paid" - Winston Peters' lawyer Brian Henry
He said this was "simply the completion of the first phase" and the next step would involve issuing damage proceedings.
Mr Henry said the defendants will be determined when he filed a statement of claim, but confirmed the two journalists originally named in legal proceedings would not be included.
* The original version of this story incorrectly reported Mr Peters had withdrawn his action against the National Party.