TV1 News - Winston Under Fire

Friday, 12 November 1999, 6:27 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

Winston's Longest Day - Japanese Tourist Killed - Liam Holloway - Americas Cup

WINSTON'S LONGEST DAY

ANNOUNCE: NZ First Leader Winston Peters Under Attack: Campaign troubles. Pressure on three fronts. Attack. Threat and one of his candidates is under investigation.

Keeping them honest is the campaign slogan. The Crown Law Office has confirmed that candidate Suzanne Bruce faces 13 charges of filing false GST returns. Winston Peters says he has called in a legal expert to examine the case. If Suzanne makes it to Parliament then she will not be forced to resign. ( She has in fact resigned….shortly before 6pm - TV1 had not heard at that stage.)

Robyn McDonald is now convinced that Winston Peters had them pushed down the list. She says he wants to be surrounded by people like him and is planning to challenge the list legally. She says the way Peters does things is not cooperative and not the way women work.

Winston Peters is not mincing his words in Nelson where he says there are no complaints coming from her electorate.

McDonald: "I would seriously consider that Peters can't keep them honest… Winston blocks. If it is good for the party he will block. If that legislation is good for families he will not care, he will just block if there are points to be scored.

ANNOUNCE: Personality problems aside Winston is under attack on another front.

One Network News Colmar Brunton Poll…of Tauranga.

Tight race in Tauranga. In his seat National Candidate Katherine O'Regan is doing well.

Of decided voters:
Winston Peters 31%
Katherine O'Regan 32%
Margaret Wilson 24%
Alliance 4%
ACT - not standing.
- 500 people. Margin of error 4.4%.
-
14% undecided.

Katherine O'Regan is pleased with the result. Margaret Wilson is not considering pulling out saying she is taking Winston's vote.

Party Vote: NZ First on 16% , National 33%, Labour 30% .

Winston Peters responds: "I do not believe that poll by a long shot."

Reporter: A new kind of pressure.

Linda Clark live: This kind of day in politics is worse than a bullet in the brain. My understanding from inside is that he is feeling the pressure. A very bad day for Winston Peters. He has two weeks and two weeks only to pull something big out. Robyn McDonald is going to continue to run for NZ First and has begun a campaign to roll Mr Peters from the inside.

JAPANESE TOURIST KILLED: Japanese Tourist Killed in Jetboat Crash: The award winning Shotover jet hit a rock and rolled, killing one and injuring 11. Concern of the company is for the passenger and his family. The injured passengers were taken to hospital and treated for minor cuts and abrasions. First accident in a long time. Police are investigating.

LIAM HOLLOWAY: Liam Williams-Holloway's cancer is back. Healthcare Otago says the thoughts of the organisation are with Liam and his family. The family have been to Mexico and are being supported in their decision by a naturopath. Liam's mum says that if it is recommended in the facility he is in then he will have it.

AMERICAS CUP: Weather is surprising America's cup skippers. Weather should be getting better but not much hope of that in November say forecasters. Boat shown with Mast coming to pieces. Skipper says racing in rough water is like running a formula one car on a street track can't be done as it mushes the equipment.

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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