Luxon criticises Winston Peters for 'inappropriate attention-seeking comments' towards Green MP

Christopher Luxon has criticised Winston Peters for making "inappropriate attention-seeking comments" after the foreign minister told a Chinese-born New Zealand MP to "go back to your own country".

The prime minister and National Party leader used the occasion to urge voters to support the National Party and said he backs Chinese New Zealanders.

And National's campaign chair Simeon Brown described Peters' comments as "racist".

The condemnation came alongside pointed remarks from Chinese ambassador Wang Xiaolong in response to Peters' insult.

Peters launched his attack during Parliament's general debate on Wednesday after being heckled by Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan. In response, Peters told Xu-Nan to "go back to where you've come from, you loudmouth".

"This is called a democracy, unlike what you're used to," he said. Peters also accused China of lying "like a flatfish".

Xu-Nan was born in China but moved to New Zealand as a child in 1994.

Approached for comment, a spokesperson for Luxon issued a statement in his role as National Party leader.

"Winston Peters has a long track record of inappropriate attention-seeking comments designed to get the media and other politicians to talk about him instead of the issues Kiwis are facing. This is another example of that," Luxon said.

"To our Kiwi-Chinese community, National and I back you, and to every New Zealander who wants representatives focused on the issues that matter to you, rather than attention-seeking for cheap headlines, Party Vote National."

Asked what he made of Peters' behaviour, Brown said: "I think those comments are racist."

"I represent an electorate with a huge number of Chinese New Zealanders, and they'll be looking at that and saying... that's someone who doesn't represent me."

Peters doubles-down, decries 'pearl clutching and faux outrage'

Luxon's comments were put to Peters on his way into the debating chamber on Thursday afternoon.

"Look, I'm defending New Zealand's democracy," Peters said. "I'm proud of it. It's only one of nine countries that have had that since 1854, and we're never going to change defending New Zealand's democracy."

Asked how his insult could be seen as a defence of democracy, Peters told the reporter: "if you don't understand it, go back to university."

NZ First deputy Shane Jones also stood by his leader, saying Xu-Nan should "know his place".

"It's not proper for him to provoke and insult my leader. We are historical foundation New Zealanders," Jones said. "We're not worried about these mummified Green people. The less we see of them, the better."

Peters has not resiled from his initial remarks, instead doubling-down and engaging in a back-and-forth with China's ambassador on Thursday.

Wang published a post on X on Thursday morning, writing: "We have absolutely no interest in being dragged into the domestic politics of other countries.

"Suffice it to say, sometimes, a statement says more about the person that makes it than anything or anybody else."

In a social media post in response, Peters decried the "pearl clutching and faux outrage" and said Wang's comment simply proved the point he had made in Parliament.

"We live in a democracy that includes free speech and rights - those two values that other certain countries not only limit, but do so with force.

"If you want to compare what our free democratic country has - in particular our parliament - then go back and see what it's like in those communist and dictatorship countries and look for yourself."

Peters concluded his message: "If that offends the pearl clutchers and the communist shills labelling it as 'dangerous' - welcome to New Zealand."

Former prime minister Helen Clark also weighed in on X late Wednesday, describing Peters' comments as a "dangerous way" to refer to New Zealand's largest trade partner.

MPs from across Parliament condemn Peters' remarks

Speaking at Parliament, Xu-Nan called on the prime minister to show some leadership and hold both Peters and Jones to account for their racism.

"It is extraordinary that you have a minister who is so careless and irresponsible with what he says."

Fellow Green MP Tamatha Paul said Peters' language risked encouraging racist behaviour in the community.

"Racism is unacceptable," she said. "It's not the 70s anymore, Winston Peters, you can't go around talking to people like that."

Labour deputy Carmel Sepuloni said Luxon should sack Peters as foreign minister for such "explicitly racist" language.

"Those comments are so incredibly racist and offensive, and you cannot make those types of comments as a Cabinet Minister, but particularly as the Minister for Foreign Affairs."

Trade Minister Todd McClay said Peters' comments were "not acceptable", but he did not think they would put New Zealand's relationship with China at risk.

"Each member of Parliament must be accountable for what they say themselves," McClay said. "The public will judge you on your words."

ACT leader David Seymour also described Peters as "attention-seeking".

"The best response to attention-seeking behaviour like that is give it no attention," Seymour said.