Labour leader Chris Hipkins has ruled out working with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters at the upcoming general election, scheduled for November 7, following racist remarks made by Peters in Parliament.
Parliamentary Incident and Racist Remarks
The controversy stems from an incident on Wednesday of last week, during which Winston Peters responded to heckling in the House by attacking Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan. Peters told Xu-Nan, I know you just came here five minutes ago. Go back to your own country
, according to 1news.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told RNZ’s Morning Report on Monday that Peters’ comments were racist. However, Luxon has refused to outline the specifics of a conversation he had with Peters regarding the matter, nor would he state if he expressed disappointment in his foreign minister, as reported by odt.co.nz.
Hipkins Rules Out Future Cooperation
Speaking on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, Chris Hipkins stated that Peters’ position as foreign affairs minister is completely untenable
. Hipkins argued that Peters is making international headlines for all the wrong reasons
and cannot credibly represent New Zealand on the world stage when he’s making outwardly racist comments
.
Hipkins further declared that Peters could not be foreign affairs minister in any government
. When asked about working with New Zealand First generally, Hipkins noted that Labour could not work with them at the last election and nothing really has changed that makes this more likely at the coming election
.
The Labour leader also linked this behavior to other comments, citing Shane Jones’ racist comments towards Indians in recent months
, including a warning of a butter chicken tsunami
following a free trade agreement with India. Hipkins stated such behavior is not compatible with the sort of government I want to lead
.
Government and Coalition Response
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has maintained that the conduct of members in the debating chamber is the responsibility of the speaker of the house. Regarding international relations, Luxon stated that New Zealand’s relationship with China remains in a strong place
and in good heart
, noting that the foreign minister and Chinese ambassadors have had spats
previously, including during the Labour government.
Luxon has declined to answer whether he would appoint Peters as foreign minister again if he wins the election, calling the question hypothetical
. He also refused to discuss potential risks to coalition stability should he attempt to discipline or fire Peters. Luxon has ruled out sacking Peters, instead suggesting that New Zealanders offended by the comments should vote for his party in the upcoming election, according to rnz.co.nz.
Opposition and Party Reactions
Winston Peters responded to Hipkins’ comments via a social media post on Tuesday, stating: The only thing THICKER than Chris Hipkins ruling me out TWELVE MONTHS AFTER I RULED HIM OUT is the low IQ media who report it
. Peters had previously ruled out forming a government with Labour.
Additionally, Opportunity Party leader Qiulae Wong announced her party would not support any government that retains Peters as foreign minister. While Wong stated her party would still attempt to find common ground with New Zealand First, she concluded that Peters’ role as Minister of Foreign Affairs has become untenable
.
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