Winston Peters has begun new legal action seeking $450,000 over the leaking of details of his superannuation overpayment.

The Deputy Prime Minister and New Zealand First leader is going after the chief executive of the Ministry of Social Development, Brendan Boyle, State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes, the Attorney-General on behalf of the Ministry of Social Development and former Ministers Paula Bennett and Anne Tolley

Hughes and the Ministry of Social Development are new targets in the legal action.

It is understood papers in the breach of privacy action were lodged today in the High Court in Auckland.