Winston Peters, after initially saying nothing was wrong with his and Shane Jones' comments - which have been labelled 'xenophobic' - has now backed down

Opinion by Audrey Young Audrey Young, Senior Political Correspondent at the New Zealand Herald based at Parliament, specialises in writing about politics and power. Welcome to Inside Politics, the first week back for Parliament this year and a sense of deja vu in that it was completely dominated by coalition partners Winston Peters and David Seymour,

Jones’ comments follow National Minister Todd McClay yelling “you’re not in Mexico now” during a debate in July last year. McClay later apologised.

New Zealand is confident its relationship with the US can go from strength to strength, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said following a call with American Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"Israeli soldiers should not enjoy rest and recreation from genocide in New Zealand," Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) said in the newsletter.

US President Donald Trump has announced the new US Ambassador to New Zealand, as Minister for Foreign Affairs Winston Peters speaks to the new US Secretary of state. Trump announced in a Truth Social post that Jared Novelly will be the new US Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa.

The unusual move to review all finance to Kiribati was prompted by the abrupt cancelation of a planned meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday last week between Kiribati President Taneti Maamau and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Winston Peters, Peters’ office said late on Monday.

New Zealand is reconsidering all development ... between President Taneti Maamau and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters, Peters' office told The Associated Press on Monday.

Kiribati has defended its last-minute decision to call off a meeting between President Taneti Maamau, Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau and Foreign Minister Winston Peters, a snub that prompted New Zealand to put its aid for Kiribati under review.

New Zealand First Minister Shane Jones yelled “Send the Mexicans home” during a debate on Christopher Luxon’s statement yesterday. “I know they’re laughing. The Greens are laughing at that because they find that comical;

The Foreign Minister has hit back at comments by a Kiribati government minister that the island nation's leader failed to receive him because of pre-planned commitments.