Negotiating skill

We must now recognise Winston Peters’ skill in managing the coalition negotiations. The key was requiring the major parties to provide clear policy statements, in effect to tender for the task of leading the new Government. Policies of the two minor parties could then be checked for their alignment with those of Labour and National.

Not until the end were ministerial positions discussed. The process worked well and was completed with commendable speed. The end result was what the voters wanted — change, not more of the same. Mr Peters has served us well and in doing so has created a good template for future post- election negotiations.