Phil Conroy
Phil Conroy is a North Waikato farmer. He comes from a family of academics and skilled labourers and has a keen interest in national and local politics, particularly the impact of climate policies on farming and ideological shifts in education.
Hey folks, gather ’round – I’ve gotta share this story about my absolute legend of an uncle in spirit, the Right Honourable Winston Peters. You know, the statesman who’s been fighting for us Kiwis – especially those of us with Māori whakapapa – since before most of us could tie our shoelaces.
At 80 years young (born 11 April 1945 in Whangārei), he’s still throwing punches in parliament like the boxer he once was in his Northland days. If you’re feeling inspired today, stick with me – this guy’s life is a masterclass in grit, heart and never backing down.
From Northland Soil to the Halls of Power
Humble beginnings don’t get humbler. Winston grew up on a dusty Northland farm, the sixth of 11 children in a big, boisterous Māori-Scottish whānau.
His father Len – full Ngāti Wai Māori – was a farmhand, carpenter and freezing worker who kept the family afloat through sheer graft. His mother Joan brought the Scottish fire – tough, principled, and education-minded.
No silver spoons here – just cold mornings, shared beds and Northland grit. Whangārei Boys’ High School set the foundation, then the University of Auckland (BA History/Politics and LLB). By his 20s he was a barrister but politics called like a haka at dawn. Proud Ngāti Wai through and through, he has always worn his heritage like a korowai – woven tight and unapologetic, a bridge between worlds.
The Crusader for Accountability
Fast-forward to 1978: at 33, he storms into parliament as National MP for Hūnua and them for Tauranga (1984–2005).
In 1986, as Minister of Māori Affairs, Winston blows the lid off the Māori Loans Scandal – exposing officials funnelling millions to friends and relatives instead of helping ordinary Māori families buy homes and farms. He dragged it into the light, faced death threats and was sacked from cabinet for his trouble – but his crusade sparked major reforms and restored accountability.
The fallout strengthened the Waitangi Tribunal, expanded kōhanga reo programmes and opened doors for Māori education and land rights that endure today. He didn’t just win land – he won dignity for a generation.
From Rebel to Kingmaker
After clashing with National in 1993, Winston founded New Zealand First – a movement for the forgotten middle, Māori and Pākehā alike.
He became Treasurer in 1996 (the first Māori to hold the post in modern times), Foreign Minister three times (2005–08, 2017–20 and again in 2025), and deputy prime minister twice. He has propped up governments of both Left and Right – the ultimate dealmaker.
Fun fact: in the early days of his career, his mana was so respected that the Māori King Kīngi Tūheitia Pōtatau Te Wherowhero VII reportedly loaned his black Mercedes for Winston’s campaign trail – a symbol of the Kīngitanga’s backing for a leader seen as a bridge builder.
Controversy Never Far Away
Winston has never been one for polite silence. His career is littered with zingers and headlines:
• 2023 – called Māori “not indigenous”, sparking weeks of hui and debate.
• 2025 – mocked “woke ta moko trends”, infuriating critics but delighting supporters.
• Anti-immigration barbs from the ’90s – immortal lines like “two Wongs don’t make a white”.
Now, as foreign minister in October 2025, he’s fresh off a fiery UN speech refusing Palestinian state recognition – and his home was vandalised by protesters just days later. At 80, he’s still taking hits and swinging back.
The Enduring Symbol of Grit
Why does this story resonate? Because Winston Peters isn’t just surviving politics – he’s rewriting it for New Zealand’s underdogs.
From exposing corruption to balancing budgets and defending our sovereignty, he has embodied the Northland spirit of tenacity. Some call him a disrupter, but others see a patriot who keeps our leaders honest.
Imagine it – the first Māori Prime Minister, Ngāti Wai blood in the Beehive’s top seat, steering the nation with both steel and heart. If you believe in courage over complacency, the story of Winston Peters is yours too.
Vote New Zealand First. Let’s make history. Kia kaha.
