Rt Hon Winston Peters

Born Wynston Raymond Peters in Whananaki, Whangārei in 1945, Mr Peters attended Whangārei Boys’ High School and Dargaville High School. He later studied at the Auckland Teachers’ Training College and worked in various professions before returning to New Zealand to study history, politics, and law at the University of Auckland. His family has a history of political involvement, with his brothers Jim and Ian also serving as MPs, and his sister Lynette Stewart chairing the Northland District Health Board. Outside of politics, his brother Wayne was prominent in rugby administration.

Mr Peters began his political career in 1978 when he was elected to the New Zealand House of Representatives for the National Party in the seat of Hunua. He later became MP for Tauranga from 1984 until 2005. In 1993, Mr Peters founded the New Zealand First Party 

Throughout his career, Mr Peters has held several significant positions, including Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer from 1996-1998, and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2005-2008. He has been instrumental in thawing NZ-US relations and championing regional investment, sensible immigration, and elderly care. Mr Peters has also earned the chiefly Samoan title “Vaovasamanaia, ” meaning “beautiful, handsome, awesome, delighted and joyful.” He was appointed to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom in 1998, gaining the title “The Right Honourable.”

He founded New Zealand First in July 1993 to address concerns about the country’s social and economic direction post-Rogernomics. He advocated for MMP during the 1992 and 1993 referendums. The 1996 general election, the first under MMP, saw New Zealand First win 17 seats, holding the balance of power. Mr Peters became known as the “kingmaker,” forming a coalition with National and serving as Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer. 

Mr Peters launched the SuperGold Card in 2007, providing public transport benefits and business discounts for seniors. His leadership continues to influence New Zealand politics significantly.

Mr Peters’ tenure in politics has been marked by his tenacity for fairness and accountability, highlighted by his role in exposing political issues of significance. He has also been a primary and secondary school teacher, a barrister and solicitor including in his own law firm, and a New Zealand Māori rugby representative. Mr Peters formed a coalition government with the Labour Party in 2017, serving as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Following the 2023 election, he helped form the Sixth National Government and will serve as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Racing and Minister of Foreign Affairs until 2025.