The secret interview with Ingrid and Winston

2026-03-06 - 17:07

Ingrid Hipkiss: To the conflict in the Middle East. Donald Trump has told Iran it is too late to talk. And he has hit out at Spain after it refused to allow the US to use jointly operated bases to attack Iran. Donald Trump: The rain in Spain falls mainly on the something or other, that’s all anyone knows about Spain. No one cares about Spain. What good ever came out of Spain? I don’t like Spain. It’s a Spain in the neck, Spain. So we’re going to cut off all trade with Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain. Ingrid: Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters joins us now. Kia ora. Winston Peters: What is this, a marae? Speak English. Ingrid: Good morning. You had earlier called for a resumption of negotiations but do you think there is any hope for that in light of Trump’s latest statement? Peters: Look, there’s always hope. It lifts us up where we belong, or is that love? They don’t make songs like they used to. Ingrid: So you haven’t given up on hope negotiations? Peters: I’ll tell you what I’ve given up on. The so-called news media. I mean there’s so few left of you now but there could always be less. I hear John Campbell is joining Morning Report. I’ll send him off the premises, don’t you worry about that. I’ll give him his marching orders. I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die. Let that one sink in. Ingrid: What is your position on the US Israel strikes? Peters: What you have to understand that it’s an uncertain world. It’s the most uncertain world since the Second World War, probably the First World War. Of that you can be certain. And so you’ve got so many people talking about a 2026 issue like it’s in the 1990s or the 1980s, but everything’s changed dramatically and we’ve got to think clearly with eyes wide open right here, right now about what we face. So it’s all very well for people like you to talk about strikes and attacks, but what are strikes and attacks? Frankly, when it comes to whether this is an attack on another country or not, that will be for legal experts to decide in the future. Because at a certain time of provocation, it becomes not an attack, but actually a reprisal or retaliation. And so what we need to realise is that the so-called strikes and the attacks are actually defensive actions. But let’s get a legal position on it first. Ingrid: Have you sought advice on whether the strike was legal? Peters: Of course I have. The matter is before the district court later this week. And that will bring Iran to heel. Because right now Iran is banging at your door and wanting to burgle your house. Do you want that to happen? Of course you don’t. So you have to look at your options and what is legally available to you. Because you’re not dealing with an ordinary regime when you’re dealing with Iran, you’re dealing with a bunch of absolute fanatics, people who are out of their minds, people who rave and screech and make absolutely no sense, people who are so mad and afraid that they visit death upon their enemies, whereas the US is led by President Trump. Ingrid: Just finally, advice to New Zealanders in the region. Are we looking at any plans for evacuation flights? Peters: We’re saying to people, “Get out now. And if you can’t get out, then stay inside.” So we’re giving them very clear advice. But also the whole thing might blow over tomorrow. The last time we were in this position, we put a plane up there for 134 people, only to find that when the plane landed, within an hour, peace broke out, and nobody got on the plane. So the last thing we want is to waste money by sending in a plane, especially now oil prices are expected to surge. Ingrid: Are you discussing an evacuation plan with Australia? Peters: We’re talking to everybody, except Spain. You can’t trust Spain. You don’t know where you are with Spain. They don’t talk English in Spain. We don’t want anything to do with Spain.