New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says he will give his verdict this week on whether National's tax cuts are affordable.
His decision may give voters a clue as to which of the major parties he would support after the election and that is something Don Brash says voters deserve to know before casting their votes.
Brash was handing out trophies at the Hawkes Bay races on Saturday and wants to ride home a winner in September but knows he cannot ride it alone.
"We've been seeing all week a very positive reaction to the national party tax policy and I would be suprised if the polls don't reflect that," Brash says.
Whether New Zealanders ever see a single dollar of those tax cuts depends on National winning enough votes to form a coalition government and finding one or more parties willing to join pass the tax package into law.
Act is the natural choice, but they're in the polling doldrums and no sign of a lifeline from National. United Future is keen to join in the race for fair taxes. It supported Labour last time but may be willing to switch sides.
"After the election we could certain work with national on aspects of their tax package," says leader Peter Dunne.
"We would obviously want to see some changes. I'm sure there'd be some things they want to negotiate with us as well," he says.
But it is likely Winston Peters will be the only one with the votes National needs.
He is not opposed to tax cuts but is worried about the impact.
"Everybody likes a lolly scramble but we have got to make sure it is affordable particularly given the huge social problems we have got in this country," Peters says.
Peters says he's working through the tax figures and will decide next week whether National's package is affordable.
