Building the broad coalition

I have been an advocate for some time that National should negotiate post-election coalition deals with minor parties, even if National had enough seats to govern alone, so it is good to see the following in the NZ Herald:

National Party leader John Key says he could negotiate post-election coalition deals with parties such as United Future or the Maori Party even if National gained enough votes to govern alone.

My order of preference for deals is:

1. ACT
2. United Future
3. Maori Party
4. Greens
5. Progressive
6. NZ First

With Dr Cullen having basically spent all the surplus until 2016, minor parties may find their spending ambitions need to be curtailed (regardless of who forms the Government) and focus instead go on policies and posts rather than spending commitments.