World News – AU – Peters, NZ is the first to miss in NZ

New Zealand will have a new Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs after the end of the political career of maverick Winston Peters

The first signs of the New Zealand election suggest that Mr. Peters, New Zealand First, is about to miss Parliament

After 57% of the votes counted, NZ First only has 25% – down from 72% in the last election, and well below the 5% threshold required to send MPs to Wellington

The 75-year-old addressed party worshipers at the famous Duke of Marlbrough pub in Northland town Russell, refusing to admit defeat

Elected for the first time in 1979 as deputy of the national party, Mr. Peters left the center-right party in 1993 to found his own populist force

He told deflated candidates his party must continue – despite his party vote slump

« For 27 years, a party has been ready to challenge the establishment more than ever this force is still needed

M Peters has brought color and controversy to Kiwi politics for decades, and was recently caught in a party donation scandal that continued his campaign

Yet M Peters may well claim election winner – Jacinda Ardern of Labor – as his political legacy

He is the 75-year-old man who assured Ms Ardern would become Prime Minister in 2017 after deciding to back Labor rather than National after weeks of government negotiations

Overwhelming support for Ms Ardern’s party means deputy Labor leader Kelvin Davis is set to become deputy prime minister

The Foreign Office will also be freed, probably occupied by former leader Andrew Little or Minister of Commerce David Parker

Winston Peters