NZ First leader Winston Peters has apologised after calling Te Pāti Māori MP Tākuta Ferris a “dickhead” in Parliament today.
The exchange occurred during questioning by Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson on fishing practices. Peters could be heard saying “not like you, dickhead”, apparently directed at Ferris across the chamber. It remained unclear what Ferris said to prompt the remark.
Ferris stood up minutes later and called a point of order.
“I’ve witnessed many times in this House disparaging comments being made between sides, and I’m quite sure that being called a dickhead would fall in line with that tikanga of the House, we might say Mr Speaker”, he said.
“Mr Peters wants to call me a dickhead across the alleyway here, I think we should consider something for him.”
Peters initially argued Ferris had not correctly raised a point of order and that there was no need for him to “withdraw and apologise”.
Ferris then said he “took personal offence” to Peters’ comments, with Speaker Gerry Brownlee then instructing Peters to withdraw and apologise.
Peters said Ferris had been interrupting as he was trying to get his thoughts together in response to Davidson, and said I “apologise for calling him what I said he was” to laughter from the Government benches.
Labour leader Chris Hipkins called a point of order to question if that was an appropriate way to withdraw and apologise.
“The House will have a lot of fun, if that’s the case.”
Brownlee said he would review the Hansard record and bring his findings back to the House tomorrow.
