NZ Politics Rocked by Sexist Comments, Tariff Threat

This week in New Zealand politics was marked by controversy and criticism after Labour Minister Stuart Nash resigned over sexist comments made about fellow MP Katie Nimon. The resignation came after Nash sent a text message to former National MP Chris Finlayson calling Nimon 'lazy' and stating she was 'ill-suited to the rigors of being an electorate MP.'

Nash's comments sparked widespread condemnation, with Transport Minister Chris Bishop labeling him a 'sexist dickhead.' Labour leader Chris Hipkins defended Nash, saying PM Christopher Luxon was 'selective' in his approach to ministerial conduct. However, Hipkins also faced criticism after a leaked message showed him downplaying the severity of Nash's comments.

Meanwhile, ACT candidate Paul Henry sparked outrage with a game of 'shoot, shag, marry' on Radio Hauraki, where he joked about shooting Labour leader Chris Hipkins and shagging NZ First leader Winston Peters. The comments were criticized by Labour MP Ayesha Verrall as 'death threats.'

Finance Minister Nicola Willis sparked further controversy when she attributed a rise in inflation to a 'Trump spike' caused by rising petrol prices. However, Labour's finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds countered that rates increases, power increases, and food price increases also contributed to the rise in inflation.