Winston Peters
Winston Peters
NZ First Party Leader
Leader’s Rating
See where this party leader stands on key values-based issues. You can also compare this rating with their actual voting record.
| Issue | Description | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage | Define marriage as one man and one woman. | S-GRN-FN |
| Marriage | Freedom of conscience for belief in traditional marriage – e.g. celebrants, service providers. | O-GRY-FN |
| Marriage | Redefine marriage to allow polygamy or group marriage. | O-GRN |
| Marriage | Policies promoting marriage. | S-GRN |
| Marriage | Same sex adoption by non-biological adults. | O-GRN |
| Abortion | Decriminalisation of abortion. | O-GRN-FN |
| Abortion | An explicit ban on sex selection abortions. | O-GRY-FN |
| Abortion | Requirement that foetus should not be in pain in late-term abortions. | O-GRY-FN |
| Abortion | An explicit ban on disability discrimination abortions. | O-GRY-FN |
| Abortion | Ban on late-term abortions unless exceptional circumstances. | O-GRY-FN |
| Abortion | Born Alive Provisions requiring a child who survives abortion must be cared for. | O-GRY-FN |
| Abortion | Full conscientious objection for health practitioners. | O-GRY-FN |
| Abortion | Bans prayer vigils and offers of support and counselling to women near abortion facilities. | PO-GRY |
| Assisted Suicide / Euthanasia | Decriminalisation of assisted suicide and euthanasia. | S-GRY-FN2 |
| Assisted Suicide / Euthanasia | Full freedom of conscience provisions for health professionals. | O-GRY-FN |
| Assisted Suicide / Euthanasia | Mandatory one-week cooling-off period. | O-GRY-FN |
| Assisted Suicide / Euthanasia | Expansion of the law to allow ending the lives of non-terminal patients, mental health patients and minors. | O-GRN |
| Anti-Smacking Law | Decriminalise light and non-abusive smacking for the purpose of correction. | S-GRN |
| Anti-Smacking Law | Setup an independent Oranga Tamariki (OT) Complaints Authority. | S-GRN |
| Democracy | Enshrine binding Citizens' Initiated Referenda. | S-GRN |
| Democracy | Hate speech laws meaning free speech would be curtailed by activists who simply disagree with what’s being said. | O-GRN |
| Parenting & Family | Medical professionals should obtain consent of parent of teen wanting an abortion. | O-GRY-FN |
| Parenting & Family | Ban on surrogacy and sperm donors. | O-BLK |
| Parenting & Family | Expert Panel to investigate harms of pornography. | S-GRN |
| Gender Ideology & Critical Theory | Gender ideology – i.e. gender identity is separate from biological sex. | O-GRN |
| Gender Ideology & Critical Theory | Birth certificates can be based on gender 'identity', rather than biological sex. | O-GRN |
| Gender Ideology & Critical Theory | Ban on critical theory (including critical race theory) being taught in schools. | S-GRN |
| What is a woman? | Written answer. | "Adult human female. My late mother was one." |
| Coversion Therapy | Support or oppose the current 'conversion therapy' ban law. | O-GRN |
| Coversion Therapy | Counselling Ban for youth with gender confusion unless affirming gender 'identity'. | O-GRN |
| Coversion Therapy | Counselling ban on gender and sexuality for adults – even if consent is given. | O-GRN |
| Coversion Therapy | Ban on chemicalisation or surgery for minors (under 18) for 'gender transitioning'. | S-GRN |
| Coversion Therapy | Legal protection for parents being able to discuss gender and sexuality issues with their own children. | S-GRN |
| Coversion Therapy | Ban on prayer for issues related to sexuality and gender. | O-GRN |
| Drugs | Legalisation of cannabis for recreational use. | O-GRN |
| Drugs | Decriminalisation of not just cannabis, but ALL illicit drugs. | S-GRY-FN3 |
| Drugs | Legalisation of not just cannabis, but ALL illicit drugs. | O-GRN |
| Drugs | Allowing regulated medicinal cannabis products to be more accessible. | S-GRN-FN |
| Drugs | Allows the ‘testing’ of drugs, despite them still being illicit and harmful. | O-GRN |
| Prostitution | Repeal of Prostitution law – including prosecuting the buyer. | S-GRN-FN2 |
| Prostitution | Ban on brothels in residential areas. | S-GRN |
| Prostitution | Ban on street prostitution. | S-GRN |
| Alcohol | Raise the drinking and purchase age from 18 to 20. | S-GRN-FN |
| Alcohol | Alcohol law reform 5+ Solution. Raise price, raise purchase age, reduce accessibility, reduce advertising and sponsorship, target drink-driving (plus increase treatment availability and health warning labels on products) | PS-GRY |
| Taxation on Families | Income splitting for parents. | S-GRN |
| Taxation on Families | Paid parental leave (6 months). | S-GRN |
| Other | Reninstate Three Strikes legislation (for repeat violent offenders). | S-GRN |
| Other | Liberalise Easter Trading laws. | O-GRN-FN |
* Based on recorded vote in Parliament, or public statements.
** Supported on the basis of holding a public referendum.
*** In July 2026, the Government changed how schools communicate with parents about health education, including RSE. Previously, school boards were required to consult with parents at least every 2 years. Under a replaced section 91 of the Education and Training Act 2020, boards must now only inform you about the health curriculum at least once every 3 years or whenever the health curriculum changes, whichever occurs sooner. They do not need to consult on their health curriculum anymore. This change was supported by National, ACT and NZ First. This is despite both Seymour and Peters indicating to us that they support parental consultation. Learn more here.
**** NZ First supported this bill, but did force Labour / Greens to accept amendment which helped maintain the ability for legal sanction - rather than full decriminalisation as intended by Labour / Greens
***** Family First has no fixed position on this issue at this time. We are encouraging further research and public debate.
Note: Where a leader’s response to an issue in this year’s questionnaire is different to their previous voting record on the same issue, we have defaulted to showing their voting record, as this is the official vote recorded in Hansard. However, we have used a lighter green or grey to indicate to the reader that their position / view is different to when they voted on the issue when in Parliament.
Additional comments made on leaders survey response form (where applicable)
Abortion Bans prayer vigils and offers of support and counselling to women near abortion facilities.
”Partial oppose on basis of needing to allow for religious freedoms.”
Assisted Suicide & Euthanasia Decriminalisation of assisted suicide and euthanasia.
“Support only referendum. Do not support liberalisation.”
Prostitution Repeal of Prostitution law – including prosecuting the buyer.
”On basis of referendum.”
