New Zealand First leader Winston Peters escaped a major beat-up in Parliament yesterday, mainly because he was not there, and National leader John Key decided to try to make some dents in the credibility of Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Mr Key made no progress on trying to gain any new information or admissions from Miss Clark and people could be left rightly thinking: Was that all he had?

Miss Clark batted away questions about Mr Peters and expatriate billionaire Owen Glenn by constantly referring to them as "honourable gentlemen".

There could be an "innocent explanation" to the conflicting reports on whether or not Mr Peters, or NZ First, had received a donation from Mr Glenn, she said regularly in reply to questions.

She also kept referring to earlier assurances she had received from Mr Peters that neither he, nor NZ First, had received the donation.

Moves to hold a snap debate on the standing down of Mr Peters also found no favour in Parliament.

Act New Zealand leader Rodney Hide had requested an urgent debate on the matter in light of events of the past few weeks.

But Parliament's Speaker, Margaret Wilson, ruled against it while the privileges committee hearing and Serious Fraud Office investigations were continuing.

However, she is not ruling out a snap debate being allowed after those matters are resolved.

It appeared National and Mr Hide were going through the motions, just waiting for the announcement of the election campaign proper to begin.

Out on the streets, voters were starting to rally behind the man they see as being a victim of an opposition party beat-up.

And in a somewhat surprising development, Maori MP Hone Harawira came out in support of his Ngati Wai "cousin", Mr Peters.

Mr Harawira, who hails from the north of the North Island, is starting to see a Pakeha conspiracy behind the constant attacks on Mr Peters.

Mr Key said a revelation the Spencer Trust paid at least $50,000 to NZ First in 2005 that was never declared shows the party broke the law.

Spencer Trust trustee Grant Currie told media at least $50,000 was paid from the trust to NZ First in August 2005.

Under electoral law at the time, donations of more than $10,000 from an individual or group in any calendar year had to be declared.

On July 29, Miss Clark said she had sought, and received, Mr Peters' assurance that nothing illegal had occurred in relation to several allegations regarding donations.

Miss Clark refused to comment on the likely breach of the Electoral Act while the Serious Fraud Office was still investigating NZ First's finances and Parliament's privileges committee looked into a $100,000 donation from Mr Glenn.

"I'm standing right back from these matters. Obviously, there are two inquiries that are going on," she told reporters.

"I don't intend to comment on the substance of anything."

Mr Peters has stood down from his ministerial roles while the SFO investigation is conducted.

Letters to the editor in North Island newspapers give some hint of a letter-writing campaign against Mr Peters.

Most call for his removal from Parliament without saying how they would like that to happen.

Out on Lambton Quay at lunch time yesterday, people spoken to showed an attitude not dissimilar to that held by Mr Harawira.

In a very unscientific poll, about 30 people of a certain age (about 50 and above) were asked how they felt about Mr Peters.

The majority felt he had been hard done by and that he was the victim of a conspiracy by both National and Labour MPs to ensure he did not return to Parliament.

One elderly man said he would be making sure his vote went for NZ First at the election, and his elderly neighbours felt just as strongly.

Mr Peters thrives on adversity and he could find a sympathetic audience among the Grey Power membership as he campaigns before the election.

He needs only 5% of votes to be cast his way and he is back to fight another day.

Political editor Dene Mackenzie is in Wellington this week.