Summarised by Centrist
Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters ended a tense Morning Report interview by accusing RNZ of left-wing bias and warning that public funding for the broadcaster might not last. The comments, delivered during a heated exchange with host Corin Dann, have sparked debate over whether Peters crossed a line — or simply said what many think.
The interview turned confrontational when Dann raised criticism from Labour and the Greens suggesting NZ First’s proposed gender-definition bill was a culture war distraction. Peters hit back:
“The fact is, you’re paid for by the taxpayer and sooner or later we’re going to cut that water off too, because you’re an abuse on the taxpayer. You’re not hearing both sides of the story, you keep on putting the argument of the woke left.”
“You’re a disgrace to the mainstream media.”
Peters claimed RNZ treats left-leaning political parties more gently and said the difference in tone was obvious:
“When it’s our turn, you’re interjecting all the time. When they come on, it’s a very placid, lovely interview, isn’t it?”
Dann rejected the accusation of bias:
“I’m sorry, but you’re not going to accuse me of putting up [your critics’] arguments and believing in them. I’m the Devil’s advocate here and I put up the argument for you to answer.”
RNZ defended its handling of the interview, issuing a statement that called it “a robust political interview” and stating:
“Our interviewer conducted himself in a professional manner.”
The broadcaster also pointed to its standing as New Zealand’s most trusted news brand, vowing to continue delivering “fairness, accuracy, independence, respect and decency.”
