NZ First: Sovereignty. Resilience. Accountability.

Mar 21, 2026

This email was sent to NZ First members, I am sharing it here for people who may have not seen it.

Sprinting into 2026

Election year is here—and we’re not easing up.

This is no time to take our foot off the pedal as we approach the final part of this parliamentary term and prepare to come back bigger and better than ever.

New Zealand First is entering 2026 with momentum and a record of delivery:

Economic nationalism
Controlled immigration
Democratic accountability
Law and order

No fluff. No ideology. Just results.

Rt Hon Winston Peters has been back overseas representing New Zealand as the Foreign Affairs Minister. Recent trips and events have included:

Travelling to Canberra for an annual Australia and New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting
Hosting the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prak Sokhohn in New Zealand
Announcing further changes to visitor visa settings for Pacific people, making it more affordable for Pacific visitors to travel to New Zealand
Leading a parliamentary delegation to Latin America, visiting Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay, and delivering a keynote speech in Brazil on the importance of New Zealand’s relationship with Latin America
Delivering common sense updates one after another – read more below.

Sovereignty Secured: IHR amendments rejected

New Zealand has formally rejected the proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), notifying the World Health Organisation this week of our decision.

“Decisions about the health of Kiwis should be made from Wellington, not Geneva.” – Winston Peters

New Zealand First made a promise to put the national interests of New Zealanders first, as we always have. Rejecting these amendments ensures that we maintain our sovereign decision making, and it pushes back on globalist bureaucrats.

Others talked. New Zealand First delivered.

Energy Resilience

Shane Jones and New Zealand First have been warning about the need for a fuel security plan in New Zealand, to enable our country to be more self-sufficient. Unfortunately, this has been brought to the fore with the current oil crisis being caused by the war in Iran.

Hear directly from Shane below:

Shane is currently participating in a newly established Ministerial Economic Security and Supply Chains Group to monitor and progress New Zealand’s fuel security response to the Middle East conflict.

Fonterra: We hate to say ‘I told you so’ but…

New Zealand First called it—and now it’s playing out exactly as predicted.

When Fonterra sold iconic Kiwi brands like Mainland, Anchor and Kāpiti to foreign-owned Lactalis, we warned farmers and the public what would follow. Now CEO Miles Hurrell is on his way out—after cashing in.

This isn’t leadership. It’s asset-stripping. Who is protecting New Zealand’s strategic industries?

New Zealand First will. Because our economic sovereignty is not for sale.

Read Winston’s update in full HERE and his original warnings HERE (in this open letter to farmers) and HERE.

Covid accountability hide & seek

The Covid Inquiry report has landed—and New Zealand First is demanding answers.

You have no doubt seen already, but Rt Hon Winston Peters is taking no prisoners when it comes to ensuring accountability following the recent release of the Covid Inquiry report.

Every day last week in the house, he highlighted the ineptitude of the previous Labour government, as their Ministers sit there and refuse to front up. Their lack of accountability is a blight on democracy and Kiwis deserve better.

Accountability isn’t optional—it’s fundamental.

However, the recently released report does not go far enough into the effects of the vaccine safety, the risks involved, and more importantly who has been affected. That’s why New Zealand First is now calling for a Select Committee Inquiry into vaccine injuries.

Listen to more here: Winston Peters questions the issue of forced COVID vaccines to children

New Zealand First is the only party that has the courage to be the voice for so many people who were affected by the devastating decisions of the previous Labour government.

More Members’ Bills from New Zealand First

To enable binding referendum on Maori seats at 2026 election

True to our values, we have also announced that not only would we campaign on a referendum on Maori seats this coming election, but that we have the legislation ready to go. Why wait? We could be saving the taxpayer money by doing it as part of the 2026 election with a simple yes or no question: should Maori seats be retained?

NZ First Bill to Enable Binding Referendum on Māori Seats at 2026 Election - New Zealand First

This is not about New Zealand First telling the public we want to abolish the Maori seats. This is about democracy, and the power sitting with the people. New Zealanders are the master here, not the politicians, and they should get to decide what happens.

To introduce an anti-scamming bill

The Financial Markets Conduct (Preventing Payment Scams) Amendment Bill would ensure banks are mandated to do more to protect New Zealanders from financially devastating banking scams.

“This is about bringing some common sense and desperately needed accountability of our financial institutions and the prevention of scams” – Dr David Wilson

Protecting Our Language

Our English Language Bill recently passed its first reading in the house, progressing another common sense promise from our coalition agreement.

Listen to Winston’s fiery first reading speech: Winston Peters: We are affirming the value of English as a shared means of communication

This bill will simply make English an official language of New Zealand, providing clarity and certainty in legislation of the official status of the English language in New Zealand.

New Zealand First is the only Nationalist party.

We are defending our nation’s sovereignty.

We are protecting our country’s name.

We are protecting our flag.

And we are protecting our language.

NZ First MPs Getting It Done

Only just getting warmed up for the rest of 2026, here is a snap shot of what our MPs have been up to over the past month or so. Be sure to follow their socials for further updates from each of them directly.

Hon Shane Jones

Announced $80m to develop and process critical minerals
Celebrated new projects being fast-tracked to unlock regional growth
Ring fenced $50m from the Regional Infrastructure Fund for the development of geothermal projects

Check out his Facebook page or go to our NZ First youtube page to hear more from Shane.

Hon Casey Costello

Celebrated a new tranche of police graduates
Started hosting events for the new Better Later Life Action Plan for seniors
Represented New Zealand at a major US-Pacific investment and prosperity summit in Honalulu
Attended the United States Investment Summit in Hawai’i

Check out Casey’s Facebook page Casey’s Facebook page

Hon Mark Patterson

Attended the Central Districts Fieldays in Feilding this week, following on from a long list of other regional shows across the end of summer
Opened the $17m upgrade of the Hood Aerodrome in Masterton
Celebrated the rural wellbeing fund backing 18 community initiatives

Catch up on all Mark’s updates via his Facebook page – there’s plenty to see!

Jenny Marcroft

Met with Christchurch City Council on addressing issues at the Bromley Wastewater Treatment Plant
Visited New Zealand King Salmon in Canterbury to hear the latest aquaculture updates
Discussed rockpool protection in a recent visit to Auckland’s Long Bay

Check out Jenny’s Facebook page

Jamie Arbuckle

Discussed all things food security on a recent visit to a cucumber farm
Met with several frontline stakeholders in Auckland who work in social services and youth issues

Check out Jamie’s Facebook page

Andy Foster

Hosted a public meeting in Levin with local members and supporters
Spoke in the house on the Special Debate on the National Infrastructure Plan
Visited the Auckland Rail Operations Centre which covers that Auckland metro area

Check out Andy’s Facebook page

Dr David Wilson

Spent time in Hawke’s Bay with Mark Patterson, meeting stakeholders and focusing on regional development opportunities
Spoke on the Special Debate on the National Infrastructure Plan in the house
Visited the Kiwi Rail Hillside Workshop in Dunedin to check out their new platform wagons

Check out David’s Facebook page

New Zealand First ‘State of the Nation’ 2026 - THIS SUNDAY