Winston Peters has made it clear he won’t start negotiating and governing arrangements with National or Labour until the final results are published on 7 October. Fair enough, the number of seats and the balance of power could change.

In July Peters made a commitment to make a decision on what he and NZ First will do by writ day, which is 12 October.

RNZ:  Peters lays out post-election coalition timeframe

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says if his party is in a position to negotiate with both major parties after the 23 September election, he’d be aiming to tell the country which party they would work with by 12 October.

That is the same date as the return of writs for the election, marking the delivery of the final results to the Governor-General.

Mr Peters made the same promise to communicate a decision by writ day on 2005, and said he would do the same this election.

“If you’re going on precedent, yeah, 2005 we had a decision by writ day and we expect the same would be the case if those circumstances arise in 2017.”

The belief he held the country up for weeks after the 1996 election while negotiating a deal was exaggerated, Mr Peters said.

“1996 was totally different, it was our first MMP election, the first time we were dealing with circumstances never dealt with before in this country’s history.

“Seven weeks in my view was the kind of period we needed to, when you’re negotiating earnestly and sincerely with both sides it seemed to be an exercise we had no precedent for, and no record for.”

Since then, he said, parties had become much more familiar with MMP and the way it works.

“So I fully expect, post the election, that every party would look at resolving this matter as fast as possible – that’s all I can say.”

Saturday 7 October to Thursday 12 October doesn’t leave NZ First, National, Labour (and Greens if they get included) long to work out and governing deals and then for NZ First to decide.

Peters has said the party will be consulted with beforehand but not on the actual decision.

I wouldn’t hold Peters to his 12 October deadline. He doesn’t always hold himself to apparent commitments.

If negotiations need longer then that date will be passed.

And it isn’t just Peters involved. He may decide what way he wants to go by the 12th, but either one or two other parties will be involved, and they may want to consult with party members before making their final decisions.

If Peters chooses to go with Labour-Greens I can imagine Jacinda Ardern making another ‘captain’s call’ fairly quickly, but I think that the Greens are committed to consulting with party members before making their decision.

So I won’t be surpised if we don’t know a decision until 12 October.