Coalition negotiators are debating over the words and phrases in the agreements as Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters made contact, 1News understands.
It comes as coalition talks between the National Party, ACT and NZ First dragged into their second week.
It's understood Peters and Luxon have spoken on the phone several times today. Luxon and ACT leader David Seymour met in the capital earlier.
The three leaders will meet in person tomorrow, Stuff is reporting Luxon and Seymour are on the way to Auckland to meet with Peters there instead of Wellington.
An insider told 1News there is still "water to go under the bridge", but it’s possible a deal will be made this week. However, it’s also possible the negotiations could drag into next week, they said.
Once an agreement has been reached, the parties will then have to go to the board to have it signed off.
'Work is happening'
The NZ First deputy leader told reporters work is continuing behind the scenes despite Peters’ absence. (Source: 1News)
New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones says party leader Winston Peters will make an appearance in the capital for coalition talks "at the appointed hour".
Jones told a throng of reporters this afternoon Peters is currently not in Wellington as he is "very busy", but "the caucus are down here and we’re flat out on our various bits and pieces".
"It’s important that we address the sorts of issues that… we want to make sure that the first 100 days can deal with and allocate responsibilities and there’s a lot to do."
He denied the 78-year-old politician's absence was health-related, saying, "No, no, no, no, no. One shouldn’t catastrophise. These negotiations are ongoing".
Jones told the reporter who asked about Peters' health he was "being a stirrer".
He also wouldn't be drawn on whether NZ First's leader would be heading to Wellington this afternoon.
"At the appointed hour, the man will arrive. You just have to taihoa (wait). Taihoa. Taihoa," he said.
"Work is happening, despite the physical absence at the moment of our rangatira."
When asked by a 1News producer if he missed Peters, Jones laughed.
"Well, we’re both from the Tai Tokerau so we’re pretty familiar with each other," he replied.
Luxon today confirmed to 1News the pace of negotiations has meant he will not be attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in San Francisco this week.
The current caretaker government arrangements have been extended until a new Government is formed.
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