Political wrecking ball Winston Peters has shown the potential drama awaiting New Zealand on the other side of the October 14 election with a hostile and bumbling interview on TVNZ.
On Sunday morning, the New Zealand First leader was the top guest on Q+A, New Zealand's most influential political current affairs program.
Mr Peters' NZ First party is not currently in parliament after being turfed from office at the last election, polling just 2.5 per cent.
However, it's now polling above the necessary five per cent threshold to send MPs to Wellington, and could again hold the balance of power.
On the evidence of Mr Peters' interview, NZ First is likely to be a disruptive force.
Over the course of a half-hour, the 78-year-old evaded questions, repeatedly attacked host Jack Tame, denied factual statements and even threatened to reform the state-owned broadcaster.
"We're not corrupt like you," Mr Peters snapped after being asked about his donations.
"You're on this program trying to get rid of New Zealand First because your masters told you to.
"I've got news for you Jack, the people out there will decide this election and the news for your masters is all bad."
"You've made a good case for us to make sure we get the broadcasting portfolio after this election ... it's not a threat, it's a promise that you're going to have an operation that's much more improved than what it is now."
In a virtuoso performance from one of New Zealand politics' best prevaricators, Mr Peters accused Mr Tame of lying, of "arrogance", of "bulldust", of "wasting viewers time", of being a "dirt merchant" and of running "amateur hour".
"You're a taxpayer owned operation. Taxpayers are entitled to have a proper interview," he said.
He was unable to answer basic questions about the cost or workings of two signature NZ First election promises: to establish a dedicated prison for gang members, and to fund residential aged care.
Mr Peters is currently touring New Zealand, packing out town halls and raging against "woke extremists" on his "Let's Take Back Our Country" tour.
The party's return to relevance is both a blessing and a headache for the centre-right National party, which leads polls.
Both NZ First and Labour have ruled out working with each other in a coalition after the election.
While leader Chris Luxon can bank the extra seats from NZ First as he looks to build a parliamentary majority and govern, inviting Mr Peters into his coalition is seen as a recipe for tumult.
NZ First has a track record of tough-as-nails negotiating when in the kingmaker position, extracting concessions for the party in coalition talks.
For now, Mr Luxon isn't engaging in those hypothetical exercises, instead releasing a plan for the party's first 100 days to show it is ready to hit the ground running.
He said post-election coalition talks would be "as efficient as we possibly can because we want to go to work and we want to start getting things done for Kiwis".
Included in the lengthy 100-day to-do list is taking an axe to Labour industrial relations, water and planning reforms, as well as tough new gang laws.
