The cup of tea between Prime Minister John Key and Act Epsom candidate John Banks has played right into the hands of New Zealand First leader Winston Peters, Vote for Change spokesman Jordan Williams says.
"Winston Peters is on the verge of holding the balance of power, with New Zealand First last night reaching 4.9% on the prediction market iPredict.
"New Zealand's political nightmare is coming true," he said yesterday.
Mr Key added fuel to the debate yesterday. He walked out of a media conference after refusing to answer any questions about the "teacup" tape. He kept his distance from the issue while campaigning later in the day.
The Prime Minister had been meeting media after a speech at the Federated Farmers national conference at Westpac Stadium in Wellington.
He repeatedly said, in response to questions about the tape, that he and New Zealanders were interested in issues such as the economy, not the tape.
In an extraordinary response, when journalists continued to ask him about the tape, he stormed off.
In a speech, Mr Peters said many New Zealanders were uneasy about the agenda of the National Party and its allies.
They wondered why it was so important that only the National party could rule.
"National has gone to incredible lengths to take over the Act Party and to gerrymander provincial electorates so National candidates face the most limited opposition.
"It is bizarre - a prime minister telling the people of an electorate to vote for another party. It is bizarre for a candidate to campaign for an opponent."
Mr Peters then took a swipe at Mr Key's memory.
"How could someone with a self-reputation for brilliance, detail and instant analysis suddenly lose his memory? How many topics can two people cover in eight minutes?"
Mr Key could not recall the conversation but could say it was bland, Mr Peters said.
It is widely understood Mr Key commented on the age of New Zealand First supporters and that Mr Peters was losing support as they died off. It was likely Mr Key also told Mr Banks he could not work with Act leader Don Brash, whom he replaced as National Party leader.
"How did Mr Key end up dumping on the old people?" Mr Peters asked.
It was important for older people to know National had a hidden agenda and its policies would reflect that.
Older people would be targeted and the only insurance was himself and New Zealand First, Mr Peters said.
The cup of tea was a hot topic of conversation in New Plymouth yesterday. The Otago Daily Times polled people on the streets and found they were sick of the issue and felt Mr Key should release the tape, instead of referring the matter to the police.
"It should be up to us voters to decide if there is anything to it. Voters hate political secrets. Let us be the judge," David Cornelius, a cafe owner, said.