Winston Peters attacks the politics of 'tribalism' in his 'Real State of the Nation' speech

The Auckland Council has "rolled over" to "heavy-handed iwi" who are about to grasp ultimate power over the property rights of Aucklanders, according to NZ First Party leader Winston Peters.

In a "Real State of the Nation" speech delivered in Takapuna Peters said that under the terms of the draft Auckland Unitary Plan 19 iwi will have "unbridled power" to claim rights to any piece of land in Auckland that they deem special to them under the plan.

"This will be another giant step towards racial separation in this country and dominance by a few in Auckland for their own monetary gain," he said.

"These iwi will dictate to the Auckland Council. They can invent all manner of things to lay claim to a significant place. Under the plan it is enough for them to say ‘we want that site’, they do not have to reveal the reason why."

Peters said it was right to restore Maori traditional rights and obligations– "that is only fair – and that is what the Treaty of Waitangi claims are doing through the proper arena".

"However, council plans open the door for iwi to take rights that go way beyond anything we have seen before and will jeopardise property ownership and transactions for untold Kiwis."

If people wanted "apartheid and tribalism", they should vote for the other parties – not New Zealand First, he said.

Peters speech focused on some of his traditional themes, including what he termed "tribalism", immigration, health, economics and leadership - or lack thereof.

The speech came as the latest Roy Morgan opinion poll showed that NZ First's support had risen to 5.5% from 4.5% in the last poll - meaning as things stand that the National Party might have to negotiate with Peters to form a new Government after this election.

On immigration, Peters said New Zealand had gone from a nation of united people to an "urban collection of communities, many clinging to where they were, rather than where they are now".

He said "unfocussed" immigration policies and "handing out of work visas like an eight-armed octopus" were happening "because it means a flow of cheap labour that drags down wages and conditions".

"Sadly, New Zealand is losing many of its young, trained workers and replacing them often with untrained, unskilled immigrants.

"The very people who say today that we’ve got a population aging problem, by some intellectual gymnastics defend the policy that allows more than forty per cent of immigrants to New Zealand from one country to be over 50 years of age.

"This policy is economic lunacy."

Peters said the next government "must focus on people we need, not people who need us".

On the talk of New Zealand's economy being a "rock star" this year, Peters said if you repeated that often enough some people would start to believe it "until they actually try to feed and clothe their families".

"This is a big hoax. This is 1984 stuff aimed at the collective consciousness."

Turning to the forthcoming election, Peters said recent surveys demonstrated that a great majority of New Zealanders, "and even 35% of National voters, didn't like "sordid pre-election deals".

"Nor do we."

Peters said later this year NZ First would celebrate its 21st anniversary.

"In 21 years we’ve made democratic decisions as a caucus and as a party.

"Speaking plainly, we don’t know how to play cards we haven’t been dealt yet.

"But one thing you can be sure of, after the election we will speak with and consult our supporters."

Peters said every election was critical. "But this election more so than any in our lifetime."

The country could either do nothing and face the prospect of "staggering along". Or it could be bold, positive, "with the prescription to recover our position of former glory as the world’s number one economic and social success story".