Winston Peters – The Cat With Many Lives

Mr Peters has been under the microscope both here and overseas after obtaining the role of Foreign Minister outside of the Cabinet.

On Saturday he arrived home from Britain to the latest criticisms flying from his own party members that highlighted areas of poor performance during New Zealand First's electoral campaign.

During the Victoria University post-electoral conference in Wellington last Friday, Political Scientist and conference organizer Nigel Roberts told One News, "It was really meant to be an honest reflection of a party that was reduced from 13 MP's to seven. Clearly everything didn't go New Zealand First's way."

New Zealand First's backroom strategist, Damien Edwards let the cat out of the bag, saying the last six weeks of the campaign lacked coherence and raised other strategy issues.

New Zealand First Deputy Leader Peter Brown told One News the election campaign was "a bit of a stuff-up". "I don't think you'll ever see NZ First run a campaign like that again, I sincerely hope not."

Peters' decision to attack Tauaranga opponent Bob Clarkson, in the last week of the campaign is considered a mistake.

Mr Edwards said the influence of the Tauranga campaign on the party's national campaign was "absolutely vital". "Without a doubt the decision ... to go negative on Clarkson certainly hurt the national campaign ... tactically that was a mistake."

Asked if Mr Peters was wrong to attack Mr Clarkson, he said: "That was a Winston call. That's his electorate. I think with the benefit of hindsight we probably would say 'wish he hadn't done it'."

Then there is the post-election legal battle where Peters has lodged a High Court petition alleging Bob Clarkson overspent on his electoral campaign – decision pending.

Next, the primary campaign billboard of Winston Peters standing on a beach looking behind him was slammed - one commentator said it looked as though he was looking at poo on his shoe.

"The New Zealand First bill board frankly looked pretentious, in 2002 New Zealand First had a simple and effective billboard,' said Robert.

According to Damien Edwards, Mr Peters' popularity took several hits during the election; one when the party was polling high he was described as a kingmaker – which reminded people of all the problems when he was part of a coalition with National in 1996 which fell apart. Another was a New Zealand Herald article which said Mr Peters and Dr Brash had done a shared-Prime Minister deal which lost NZ First - Labour supporters it had attracted.

Peters' torrid relationship with the media has also come to the fore. Senior New Zealand First MP, Brian Donnelly stated to One News, "Winston has to find a way of sorting out a truce with the media, simply because we can't go on with a Minister of Foreign Affairs in constant battle with the media."

Winston Peters will be hoping he has many more than nine lives when he faces his first week up against the opposition in the House over his "inside/outside Government" position this week.