As Labour joins the lists of political parties leaping from a potential sinking coalition with NZFirst, those at the top remain untroubled.

“The Great Leader, the Mighty Matua and the others, whoever they may be by the week’s end, have rejected those parties, a long time ago – in some cases before they were even constituted,” NZFirst spokesperson Lila Lyrapansonphyre told this reporter. “They know that, and they also know that without the support of NZFirst none of them are likely to get a seat in Parliament in November, let alone be in a position to bow and scrape for a position around the Cabinet table.”

Asked how that was possible, given that NZFirst has a total of 5 and a half current MPs, and the list of candidates for the next election keeps changing as soon as those currently on it say something out loud and get dumped, Ms Lyrapansonphyre suggested this reporter do his own research and then come back with some real questions. Sunshine.

“There are plenty of other parties we have yet to rule of working with,” she added. “And more are being added to the list. So NZFirst is committed to remain a political force for a long time yet. Pal. Champ. Mate.”