Parliament Erupts After Peters’ Comments on Green MP’s Heritage

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has accused NZ First leader Winston Peters of “pure racism” in Parliament after remarks made during Question Time about a Green MP’s heritage.

The confrontation unfolded on Wednesday when Green MP Teanau Tuiono used the word “Aotearoa” while questioning the government about climate aid in the Pacific. Peters interrupted proceedings, questioning why a minister was answering “a question from someone who comes from Rarotonga to a country called New Zealand”. Speaker Gerry Brownlee cut across the exchange amid noise in the debating chamber.

Hipkins immediately stood and condemned the comments, telling the House that all members were equal and that questioning someone’s right to speak based on their country of origin amounted to “pure racism”. He said the Speaker should have intervened sooner. Brownlee later said he had not clearly heard the initial remark but would review the official transcript. When Peters continued by asking why someone from Rarotonga had decided to change the country’s name without consultation, Brownlee ruled the line of questioning unacceptable and warned against personally targeting members.

Tuiono, who has Māori and Cook Islands Māori heritage and was born in New Zealand, later criticised Peters for engaging in “culture wars” to distract from substantive issues. Green MP Ricardo Menéndez March accused the government of failing to show leadership, claiming such comments risked emboldening anti-migrant sentiment.

In a speech to Parliament shortly afterward, Hipkins broadened his criticism, describing an “ugly side to New Zealand politics” and accusing government members of remaining silent in the face of race-based attacks on Chinese, Indian and Pasifika communities. He said ministers had a responsibility to challenge racism, particularly during an election year.

ACT leader David Seymour, who serves alongside Peters in government, said he would not make similar comments but cautioned against escalating the dispute, arguing that excessive reaction could fuel further division. Peters rejected the criticism, calling Hipkins’ claims “utter nonsense” and defending his stance on the use of the word Aotearoa. He maintained that he was reflecting concerns raised by members of the public and predicted the issue would be reflected in polling.

The exchange has intensified debate over race, identity and political rhetoric in Parliament, with parties divided over whether the remarks crossed a line or reflected broader public concerns.