Former National MP Chris Finlayson has urged the National Party NZ to wage political “war” on NZ First, a blunt escalation aired in RNZ news and now rippling through New Zealand politics. The call places pressure on National’s posture toward its former coalition partner and raises questions about how far the party should go to confront Winston Peters’ influence.

Finlayson’s warning to National

Speaking to RNZ, Finlayson said the party should take a combative approach, framing the contest with NZ First in stark terms. His language, centred on the word “war”, signals frustration with NZ First’s ability to shape outcomes despite its smaller size and reflects ongoing friction within the centre-right bloc.

The intervention matters because it comes from a respected former minister and constitutional lawyer, adding weight to a line of attack that could otherwise be dismissed as routine partisan rhetoric. It also places the National Party in a difficult position: either embrace a hard line or risk appearing indecisive as it tries to consolidate support.

Why the stakes are higher now

In the context of coalition politics, public calls for conflict can unsettle voter trust and complicate negotiations. A “war” framing risks narrowing room for future cooperation, but it may also energise a base that sees NZ First as a destabilising force.

Finlayson’s comments reinforce the enduring power dynamics in New Zealand’s multiparty system, where smaller parties can hold leverage and larger ones must balance principle with pragmatism.