Adam Pearse: NZ First’s pitch to the ordinary Kiwi battler who’s scared of the world

Opinion byDeputy Political Editor·NZ Herald·19 Jul, 2026 07:46 AM7 mins to readAdam Pearse is Deputy Political Editor for the New Zealand Herald based in the gallery in Wellington.‌THE FACTS:NZ First held its annual convention in Auckland over the weekend. It announced it would campaign on a $1 billion survey of oil and gas reserves to promote energy independence.Many of its new candidates spoke to members. OPINIONA fundamental principle of good politics is to never let a crisis go to waste. The global shockwaves from a persistently stubborn conflict a world away from New Zealand is giving Winston Peters and his party a foundation to sell what might have been much more