National MP Mark Mitchell is defending his party as the clock ticks on coalition talks.  

Winston Peters didn't turn up to an expected meeting in Wellington yesterday, so both Christopher Luxon and David Seymour have flown up to Auckland for a meeting today.  

Mitchell told Mike Hosking that he's putting the delay down to the three-week gap in receiving the special votes.  

But Labour MP Kieran McAnulty told Mike Hosking that this negotiation has taken longer than most, even though it should have been easier. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

• Luxon's "dancing to someone else's tune" in coalition negotiations
• "A lesson in politics 101": Winston Peters fails to make coalition meeting
• Milestone moment in coalition talks as all three leaders prepare to meet