Duncan Garner: The day I told Winston Peters to bugger off - and why I’m glad he’s back
Winston Peters: The king of NZ politics. Photo / Getty Images
I once took it upon myself as host of The AM Show to ban Winston Peters from the programme for six weeks when he was acting prime minister while Jacinda Ardern was on maternity leave. He’d been late the previous two weeks and live shows need to work like clockwork.
I told my producer of my intentions before the show should Peters be late. He nervously grinned at me but never said a word, probably thinking I wasn’t serious. But I was – and, sure enough, Peters was late.
So, I immediately said, “I’m over it, don’t come back, bugger off, over it.” The bosses freaked, apparently, and Peters plied his nonsense on Sky News Australia instead.
Then six weeks later, we needed him back. The producers asked me how. I said I’d call him and negotiate. No worries. Peters does deals – it’s what makes him tick – and I am not sure I’ve said that publicly before.
I went home and paced around my bedroom before calling. No answer. I left a message with his press secretary. Peters made me wait six hours before returning the call.
“Duncan, it’s Winston.”
“Just the man I need to talk to ... thanks for calling back,” I said. I started giggling, hoping he would too. Thank goodness, all I heard was him laughing and abusing me at the same time. “Great I’ve got him back,” I thought, “now, what other hoops will this guy make me jump through?”
‘’How are you going to do this and why should I bother and trust you?” he asked.
“Because I stick to my word, Winston. If I say I’ll do something I’ll do it. I said I’d ban you and did.”
Giggle from Peters.