Winston Peters thinks "a few extremist actions behind a massive majority who are law-abiding" shouldn't deter politicians from visiting the anti-mandate protest grounds outside Parliament.
The veteran NZ First leader visited himself on Tuesday - just hours after a man attempted to drive into a group of police officers and three cops were hospitalised after someone sprayed them with an unknown substance. It was also the day after human waste was thrown at police officers.
"I don't get the point of your question," Peters told AM on Wednesday when asked why he decided to visit after such incidents had occurred. "What are you trying to say? Are you trying to say that a few extremist actions against a massive majority who are law-abiding and peaceful protesters and for some of them have lost 30 years of their careers and jobs and everything, is to be the most prominent issue?"
Tuesday was the occupation's 15th and most violent day and was described as "concerning and disgraceful" by the police.
"You'll always get the odd nutcase but the reality is, from what I saw, the people that are being gaslit by the media and dare I say politicians are simply not that crowd," Peters said.
But Assistant Police Commissioner Richard Chambers noted on Tuesday multiple law-abiding protesters had chosen to leave Parliament's grounds due to the escalating violence. AM co-host Melissa Chan-Green put that to Peters.
"With respect, you're just making it up as you go along," Peters said. "That's not the circumstance.
"If you go down there and have a look today… it's actually building."
That's in contrast to Chambers' comments, who said on Tuesday "there is absolutely no doubt that some who have chosen to leave this protest have done so because they are concerned at what they're seeing down there".
"There has been a steady flow of people and vehicles choosing to go home," Chambers told reporters.
Peters claimed this could be over by now if there was some dialogue with the protesters.
"You will not find any part in our country's history where politicians, en masse, have signed a pact not to talk to protesters," he said.
Chan-Green put it to Peters that politicians had agreed to speak with the protesters should the unlawful behaviour stop.
"People were pleased that I did turn up and showed my face, and was prepared to listen and hear what they had to say - not spend all my time in the media trying to get some publicity but to talk to them about the true things that are going on and the terrible tragedies that have happened to their lives," Peters said.
"That's what I'm interested in talking about, not some statement between politicians - both of whom can't agree how to treat their people properly."
As for why he didn't wear a mask when visiting the protest, Peters said "the masks being offered these days" are "a waste of time".
"If you use the wrong mask it's next to useless - you've got to use the right one and all the specialists are saying that and so why aren't they available for people?"
With the Omicron variant driving COVID-19 cases high around the world - experts have said a better mask - including N95 - will help protect against transmission. However, well-fitted surgical masks also provide good protection.
Both of the above, while not free, are available for every New Zealander to buy at pharmacies and some supermarkets.
Scientists abroad and at home have said cloth masks don't provide enough protection against Omicron.
