New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has arrived in Wellington ahead of a meeting with his caucus, kicked off with a two minute walk through the airport where he ignored reporters' questions.
It echoes a similar scene during the campaign where Peters ignored 27 questions as he walked from the arrivals lounge to a taxi.
Peters' arrival in Wellington follows the announcement of the official 2023 election results on Friday last week, which saw National lose two seats after special votes were counted. Along with a bigger parliamentary overhang due to Te Pāti Māori winning six electorate seats - more than its party vote allocation - it meant National and ACT would need New Zealand First to make up the numbers to form a government.
Greeting Peters as he arrived at Wellington Airport, reporters asked a range of questions, including:
"How are you feeling? How are you doing today? Have you spoken to [ACT leader] Mr Seymour? Are you worried that the ACT party is going to hold up negotiations? Is that a bottom line for you, the pension age? How long will negotiations take? Anything nice to say about David Seymour? Have you spoken to David Seymour yet?"
One reporter even offered to carry Peters' carry-on suitcase down a flight of stairs for him.
"I'm just being nice, genuinely," the reporter said.
Peters appeared to be briefly amused, before cheerily greeting two corporate cab drivers waiting for their passengers, saying: "Hi guys".
Arriving at Treasury - where the party is currently based - a short time later, Peters did not proffer any comments to media greeting him there, either.
Last week Peters told 1News coalition negotiations were "going well" but said he would not provide further comment before special votes had been counted.
Coalition discussions are expected to progress this week, with National leader Christopher Luxon saying last week he expected they would do so at "pace".
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