Who is at the top table in negotiations?

OPINION: Winston Peters and his NZ First MPs are set to descend on Parliament today, but he’s up to his old trick of keeping everyone guessing.

National and Labour’s leadership teams are hanging around hoping he picks up the phone – Labour leader Jacinda Ardern has found a pressing reason to visit a local school rather than return to Auckland, while National’s finance minister, Steven Joyce, is also delaying his return home.

But, so far, Peters has avoided speaking to either Ardern or National leader Bill English, and is playing mind games from afar with both sides as they desperately try to find out who has the edge.

National made the first move yesterday by publicly offering the deputy prime ministership to Peters, while Labour quickly followed suit by confirming the job was also up for grabs in a Labour-NZ First government.

Ardern maintained the momentum by naming herself and deputy Kelvin Davis in Labour’s negotiating team, with more names to follow.

National is playing its cards closer to its chest and insiders insist Labour’s moves so far are just ‘‘shadow boxing’’. But both sides know a lot rests on getting their teams right.

WHICH TEAM HAS THE EDGE?

There is a lot of talk about personality clashes and personal grudges – Peters blames National for leaking personal details about his pension and is said to harbour a deep dislike of Joyce, also National’s campaign manager, whom he blames for unseating him in Northland. But Peters has put aside personal animosity before to do a deal with National.

HOW WILL THEY CHOOSE?

It takes a special person to negotiate with Peters. They will need stamina, huge political nous, and an understanding of what makes the NZ First leader tick. It doesn’t hurt either to share a love of a good whiskey. So here are our picks for the teams put up by National and Labour to talk turkey with Peters.

TEAM NATIONAL

Bill English is the chief negotiator.

Gerry Brownlee can hold his own with Peters in the whiskey stakes, and Peters respects Brownlee’s seniority and quick wit. Brownlee is almost as prickly as Peters too.

Todd McClay - whose dad Roger flatted with Peters - is also an option, but NZ First insiders suggest he may find it difficult to get past his memories of McClay in short pants.

Mark Mitchell is a rising star in National, well-liked by everyone, and known to be matey with Peters.

THE WILD CARDS

Simon Bridges’ name was floated early on by National but NZ First insiders are less enthusiastic.

Steven Joyce as finance minister is expected to be in the room, if only to sign the cheques. But they may consider it judicious to leave him off the top table.

Murray McCully is a deal-maker and he and Peters go back years, their bonds forged by the parliamentary rugby team. McCully retired at the last election but could be drafted in.

Paul East is another former National minister and Peters’ flatmate.

Wayne Eagleson is National’s outgoing chief of staff. His main role would be keeping the lines of communication open between the National and NZ First chiefs of staff, and nutting out the detail of any issues on the table.

TEAM LABOUR Jacinda Ardern is Labour’s chief negotiator.

Kelvin Davis is not just there as Ardern’s deputy, but he’s also a close mate of Peters. They also happen to be related. And Davis is also close to new NZ First MP Shane Jones – a fact that will unsettle National as it has fewer people with a personal relationship with Peters.

Sir Michael Cullen was involved in the successful 2005 negotiations with Peters and worked alongside him as a former Labour finance minister. David Parker is Labour’s brains trust, whom Peters holds in huge respect. Parker and NZ First MP Shane Jones are also very close.

Mike Munro is Helen Clark’s former right-hand man and now installed in Ardern’s office. Ardern has said her team will be ‘‘tight’’ and it looks likely Robertson will be in the broader team, though not at the top table.

Andrew Kirton is the party’s general secretary.

TEAM NZ FIRST

Peters previously leaned on family to do the heavily lifting in negotiations, including brother Wayne, but also has a close circle of friends and confidantes. They include Brian Henry, Api Dawson, Ron Mark, Shane Jones, Tracey Martin, and Fletcher Tabuteau.