3 days ago
New Zealand's odd couple in deputy PM job share
New Zealand is on the cusp of an orderly yet highly unusual transition of political power, swapping the deputy prime minister position between coalition parties.
On Saturday, Winston Peters, the wily veteran first elected in 1979, will hand over the reins to David Seymour, the rising star of the right.
The odd spectacle was agreed upon 18 months earlier, when both men argued to be deputy to Prime Minister Chris Luxon in coalition talks.
Mr Coughlan said Mr Peters would relish a return to the role of retail politician.
"Peters has travelled a lot during the first half of the term. I think he'll ease up a bit and spend more time in the heartlands leading up to the election," he said.
The switch will not cost Mr Peters any staff, but it will hit his wallet: Mr Peters' annual salary dropping from $NZ344,000 ($A319,000) to $NZ304,000 ($A282,000) and Mr Seymour enjoying the bump in reverse.
