Christopher Luxon grilled over Winston Peters, Shane Jones’ ‘xenophobic’ comments
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says remarks made in the House about Mexicans which have been branded ‘xenophobic’ by the Green Party are “not words I would use”.
Luxon has faced questions this afternoon about the conduct of his senior ministers Winston Peters and Shane Jones after they were accused of making “xenophobic” and “racist” comments.
Luxon said every MP needed to “watch your language” and mind the rhetoric being used in Parliament.
A press conference is being livestreamed at the top of this file.
Willis concerned about banking
Scott Palmer
On the banking issue, Willis said it would be very concerning if banks as a whole ganged together to give finance to things Kiwis need.
"I think this is an issue we need to explore more."
On Shane Jones' recent comment on Kiwibank, Willis said she believed that was his opinion.
Luxon responds to Peters' comments
Scott Palmer
Luxon said he did not hear the recent comments from Winston Peters and Shane Jones in the House.
He said "every MP needs to watch their rhetoric".
He said MPs across political parties were making comments that were not appropriate.
Luxon said he was not concerned that comments were affecting international relations.
"They are not words I would use," he said.
"I'm imploring all politicians of all parties to watch their language."
'Big year in education'
Scott Palmer
Luxon said "we have a big year in education" and the focus was to set children up "for success."
Education Minister Erica Stanford said today was the first day she had seen the new maths books in the classroom.
"My message to parents is really clear - you're going to know how your kids are doing in class and what they're doing."
Luxon to hold standup
Scott Palmer
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is holding a standup this afternoon after allegations of “xenophobic” comments made by his senior ministers, Winston Peters and Shane Jones.
The accusations were made by Green Party MP Ricardo Menéndez March, who claimed that the ministers' rhetoric could incite violence and embolden others to make similar remarks.
Menéndez March also criticised the Prime Minister for not holding his ministers accountable.
Luxon's standup will be livestreamed above at 2.15pm.
The Greens’ Ricardo Menéndez March alleges that the ministers engaged in “xenophobic and anti-migrant rhetoric” this week that potentially “emboldens poeple on the ground who may feel like they’ve been given a greenlight to say that kind of stuff in public”.
“That can lead to violence,” Menéndez March said.
“The Prime Minister’s missing in action when it comes to holding his own ministers to account.”
On Tuesday, while speaking in the House, NZ First leader and Deputy Prime Minister Peters told Green MPs Lawrence Xu-Nan and Francisco Hernandez to “show some gratitude” for being in New Zealand.
“The very people who are here on the very refuge that we give to them have come here with their ideas, foreign to our country, native to theirs, and they wish to impose them upon our Parliament. No, you don’t.
“You’re not going to succeed here. You might be laughing now, you might be laughing now, but you’ll be crying tomorrow. Come to this country, show some gratitude.”
Also that day, NZ First’s Jones shouted out “send the Mexicans home”. Menéndez March, who was born in Mexico, called that “xenophobic” too.
The Green MP said he wasn’t particularly interested in getting into a tit-for-tat with Jones, but was concerned about the flow-on effect for those in migrant communities.
“What I’m interested in is preventing further harm to our migrant communities, and this is why this has to go to the Prime Minister.”
Asked by Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking this morning whether he stood by his comments, Jones said “It’s a Mexican stand-off”.
Peters posted on X (formely Twitter) saying the Greens needed “to stop the pearl clutching and the faux outrage when confronted with the truth”.
“When we have some Green Party MPs who have been here for five minutes lecturing us all on their woke globalist agendas, New Zealand First won’t sit back and take it. “
Jones’ comments follow National Minister Todd McClay yelling “you’re not in Mexico now” during a debate in July last year. McClay later apologised.