James Leonard Peters MNZM (born 1937) is a New Zealand educator and politician. Born in Kawakawa, he is of Ngāti Wai and Clan McInnes descent. He 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). In February 2008 he 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.