Peters delivers formal address

Winston Peters has delivered his formal address at the New Zealand First Convention in Christchurch.

Claiming there 'is a groundswell of support for New Zealand First', Peters insisted that the faltering economy will be the core of the next election campaign.

"Because this government, like others before it, has followed the same half baked economic theories based on a discredited, free market ideology," he said.

"If you look at countries with so-called free market economies, most are staggering under the weight of debt and retrenching at an alarming rate. Others, with 'mixed' market economies are thriving."

The party, which Peters founded, lost its representation in Parliament at the 2008 election after it failed to win either an electorate seat or reach the 5 per cent threshold needed to secure seats in the House.

This weekend the party faithful are gathering at Christchurch's Latimer Hotel to discuss party policy and to devise a strategy that will return them to Parliament at next year's general election.

An upbeat Peters also labelled the current government as a "government by photo opportunity".

He said, "New Zealanders are being fed a diet of pictures and sound bites from heavily orchestrated media events - all focused on showing a certain smiley face. You've got to hand it to them - it's a brilliant public relations stunt.

"It creates the perception of a dynamic government purposely running the country for the good of the people. In reality it is a media facade – a mask."

In his speech, the group leader also called for more transparency in the recent Hobbit movie deal, which confirmed the movies would be produced in New Zealand.

"The government is changing the tax and investment rules and the labour laws to ensure that the filming takes place in New Zealand," he added.

"Some of the detail remains secret.

"Why? Shouldn’t you know?

"But it all demonstrates how low our sovereignty has sunk. We have again been hijacked from abroad."

- © Fairfax NZ News