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,

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".

Jones’ comments follow National Minister Todd McClay yelling “you’re not in Mexico now” during a debate in July last year. McClay later apologised.

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.

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

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.

Kiribati has defended its last-minute decision to call off a meeting between President Taneti Maamau, Foreign Minister Taneti Maamau and Foreign Minister Winston Peters, a snub that prompted New Zealand to put its aid for Kiribati under review.

The New Zealand government is reconsidering its aid program with Kiribati after the president canceled a planned meeting with the New Zealand foreign minister. This development may strain relations and impact both bilateral ties and visa allocations for Kiribati citizens seeking seasonal work in New Zealand.

The unusual move to review all finance to Kiribati was prompted by the abrupt cancelation of a planned meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday last week between Kiribati President Taneti Maamau and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Winston Peters, Peters’ office said late on Monday.