James Leonard Peters (1937 – 15 September 2026) was a New Zealand educator and politician. Born in Kawakawa, he was of Ngāti Wai and Clan McInnes descent.
Life and career Peters went to school at Whananaki Primary and Wesley College in Auckland. Further education followed at the University of Auckland (BA in History and Political Studies) and Auckland Teachers Training College (Diploma of Teaching).
He was a high school teacher and Head of the Department of History, Geography and Social Studies at Mount Albert Grammar School. From 1987 to mid-2002 he was Principal of Northland College in Kaikohe.
Peters was a councillor for the Far North constituency of the Northland Regional Council from 1989 to 2001. Peters also served as chairperson of the council from 1995 to 2001.
He was a member of the New Zealand First party, which is led by his younger brother Winston Peters. Jim Peters entered Parliament as a list MP in the 2002 election.
Peters lost his list seat in the 2005 election after New Zealand First's share of the party vote declined from its 2002 result.
He was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor (Maori) of the University of Auckland in 2006.
In February 2008, Peters could have re-entered Parliament as a New Zealand First list MP after the resignation of Brian Donnelly, but stood aside in favour of Dail Jones.
In the 2008 New Year Honours, Peters was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to local-body affairs, education, and the community.
Three members of his family, the others being his brothers Ian Peters and Winston Peters, have been members of parliament in New Zealand. Another brother, Ron Peters, stood for New Zealand First in Hobson in 1993, coming third; and for Northland in 1996, coming second.
Peters died in Wellington on 15 September 2026, at the age of 88.
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