Peters responded by claiming Act had learned of Jago’s court appearance at 7pm on Monday and alleged that was why the party announced Henry’s candidacy the following day.
NZ First leader Winston Peters went on The Country radio show on Thursday. Photo / Mark Mitchell
“The coincidence is echoing around the country, for goodness’ sake,” Peters said.
“There’s no surprises here but as Paul Henry’s going to find out, this is a difficult job, politics, and he’s going to have to learn.”
The Herald has seen emails between Act and the venue where Henry held a press conference at 11am to make his announcement. Dated between July 2 and 3, the emails show Act booking the venue for a press conference between 10am and noon on Tuesday this week.
The Herald’s article on Tuesday, published after Henry’s announcement, was the first public confirmation of Jago’s plea and upcoming court appearance, which was finalised last week. The article was informed by sources unrelated to the Act Party on Tuesday afternoon.
The Herald requested NZ First provide any evidence Peters had to prove his claim and any response to Act’s comments. A spokesman declined to comment further.
In a statement, an Act Party spokesman described Peters’ claim as “really unusual” and “totally made up”.
“We can only guess that the awesome response to Paul Henry standing for Act has got him rattled and he’s started telling tattles.
“The coalition needs to work together and win for New Zealand, this kind of behaviour is just giving a gift to Labour.”
Act leader David Seymour joined Paul Henry for this week’s press conference announcing the latter’s candidacy. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
Before Peters made his comments, Act leader David Seymour was asked this morning by Canterbury ZB host John MacDonald whether the timing was a coincidence.
Seymour said it was “obvious” the timing was a coincidence, saying he had “no idea what’s going on with [Jago]”.
Seymour also said MacDonald’s question represented a “sad day for radio” as it was “giving light to an internet conspiracy theory”.
“You are here trying to give light to basically online conspiracy theories, I think is deeply troubling, but hey, it’s your show so good on you.”
The comments follow Henry being the latest in a string of high-profile candidate announcements, which have largely been made by NZ First.
The party, which holds its annual convention in Auckland this weekend, has recently announced well-known candidates including former Labour Cabinet minister Stuart Nash, former All Blacks captain Taine Randell, former National Cabinet minister Alfred Ngaro, and former National MPs Michael Laws and Harete Hipango.
Earlier this week, NZ First and Act locked horns over NZ First minister Mark Patterson travelling to India to promote wool exports but not mentioning in his press statement the beneficial impact of the India free trade deal, which his party opposes.
Act MP Parmjeet Parmar said there would be “no doubt” Patterson would be highlighting the benefits of the deal while in India. NZ First later responded, noting there were aspects in the Act-supported deal that the party had traditionally opposed.
Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.