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.

A New Zealand-born Kiribati MP has come to her president's defence in the diplomatic row between Wellington and Tarawa, stating the "media manufactured drama", in which Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced a review of NZ aid to the Micronesian nation, is "disrespectful to Kiribati's sovereignty".

New Zealand's government is reviewing its aid to Kiribati after the Pacific island nation's leader snubbed a planned meeting with New Zealand's foreign minister.

New Zealand is reviewing its aid to Kiribati after the tiny Pacific nation’s president canceled a meeting with Foreign Minister Winston Peters at short notice.

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.

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.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand's aid for Kiribati is being reviewed after its President and Foreign Minister cancelled a meeting with him.

While New Zealand has been a long-standing development partner, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has not managed a meeting with Kiribati President Taneti Maamau since returning to office in 2023.

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.

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